New Delhi: More than two months after the
Mangalore air crash, new procedures have been put in place for
co-pilots to take charge of the aircraft as a "last ditch"
effort if the captain has been incapacitated in-flight.
This follows reports that during the May 22 crash,
which claimed 158 lives, the co-pilot had served several
warnings to the commander that the approach of the aircraft
was not correct and a go-around was necessary.
Under the new procedures finalised by the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the co-pilot or the `pilot
non-flying` (PNF), would shout a warning to the commander --
`Approach Not Stabilised` -- if the former finds that the
aircraft is not geared for a stable approach towards the
runway.
In case the commander or `pilot flying` (PF) does not
respond due to likely incapacitation and the situation
continues to deteriorate, the PNF would again warn -- `Go
Around Captain`.
If there is still no response from the commander on
the second warning, the co-pilot would shout `My Controls,
Captain`, alert the air traffic control saying `Go Around` and
immediately initiate necessary steps to do so.
The DGCA, however, made it clear that these actions
would have to be initiated when the aircraft is at a minimum
of 500 feet from the ground and the entire procedure has to be
completed above 200 feet height.
"It is to be remembered that this is the last ditch
effort to remain in the envelop of flight safety and,
therefore, the pilot flying (PF) shall ensure that the flight
conduct is such that the above steps are not warranted," the
new procedure said.
PTI
