Poor record for 2001 prompts action (259 words)

Published: 7/30/2001

On 25th July, Archangelsk Airlines (AVL) hosted a meeting of the GSGA Council dealing with interregional flight safety. The Council agreed that, during 2001, the deterioration in flight safety is unsatisfactory. There have been five crashes to date, with 16 accidents so far this year. The loss of Chukotkaavia's Mi-8, Aviagarant's Mi-8, Vladivostok Avia's Tu-154M, Rus Airlines' IL-76, Irtyshaviatrans' Mi-2 represents the industry's worst record in five years. Given that 12 of the accidents were attributed to crew error, the Council approved a resolution ordering further checks by 15th August on flight recorders, to ensure better monitoring of crew's flight procedures, with heavy fines for those crews to be found in breach of flight safety regulations. On 1st August 2001, regulations relating to the storage of the information on in-flight recorders will be changed. Airlines must keep at least 90% of information from major aircraft and at least 60% of information from regional aircraft, such as Yaks and Antonovs. Additionally, airlines must store all information related to landings in mountainous regions and at foreign airports, with helicopters preserving all information. The information output from flight recorders of all airlines will be submitted to and processed by the regional departments of the GSGA for investigation. The Council also announced the tightening of the requirements for crews, with all crews and instructors undergoing examination by 1st November. Additionally, the GSGA will tighten controls for inspectors on the ground, in terms of loading and the accuracy of weighing equipment.

Article ID: 2671