Procedure for future takeoff by |incidence in Aviation

 In the aviation industry, when an incident occurs, there is a standard procedure to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft, as well as to properly investigate the cause and prevent future incidents. This process involves the following steps:

1. Immediate Response

Alert and Emergency Protocol Activation: The crew initiates emergency procedures, such as declaring an emergency to air traffic control (ATC), usually by issuing a "PAN PAN" or "MAYDAY" call, depending on the severity.

Crew Actions: The flight crew and cabin crew follow established procedures to manage the situation. This includes securing the aircraft, assisting passengers, and ensuring safety.

ATC Assistance: Air Traffic Control may reroute the aircraft for emergency landings and coordinate with ground support services.

Emergency Landing (if needed): The aircraft may divert to the nearest airport capable of handling the emergency, where emergency services are on standby.

2. Initial Reporting

Internal Report: The pilot-in-command (PIC) must submit an immediate internal report to the airline's operations control center (OCC).

External Notification: Authorities, such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or national equivalent, and airport authorities are informed of the incident.

Incident Report Submission: Airlines are required to report certain incidents to national or international bodies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S., within a specified timeframe.

3. Incident Management at Airport

Ground Response: Upon landing, airport emergency services (firefighters, paramedics) assess the situation and assist in evacuating passengers or securing the aircraft if needed.

Passenger and Crew Handling: After evacuation, passengers and crew are provided with medical assistance, and debriefing sessions are held.

4. Preservation of Evidence

Aircraft Preservation: The aircraft is secured as a crime scene or accident site to preserve evidence. All actions on the aircraft must be recorded, and nothing should be moved unless essential for safety.

Data Retrieval: The aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are preserved for investigation.

5. Official Investigation

Appointment of Investigating Authorities: National investigative bodies (such as NTSB, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) in the UK, or Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India) lead the investigation.

Initial Report Submission: A preliminary report must be submitted to authorities within a certain period (often 30 days) detailing the facts of the incident.

In-depth Analysis: Investigators examine aircraft components, maintenance logs, crew actions, weather conditions, and air traffic control records.

Root Cause Identification: Investigators aim to identify the root cause (human error, mechanical failure, weather, etc.) and contributing factors.

6. Post-Incident Actions

Safety Recommendations: After identifying the cause, investigators issue safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents. These recommendations may involve changes to operational procedures, aircraft maintenance standards, or air traffic management.

Regulatory Response: Aviation regulatory bodies may issue advisories, revise regulations, or impose new safety measures.

Operator Actions: Airlines must review their internal safety procedures, provide additional crew training, and modify operations based on the incident's findings.

7. Public Communication

Press Releases: Airlines, aviation authorities, and investigating bodies provide information to the public, usually through press releases, to inform them of the incident and ongoing investigation.

Final Report: Investigating bodies publish a final report, usually within a year, detailing the causes of the incident and the safety recommendations.

8. Legal and Financial Implications

Compensation: Passengers may be compensated for injuries or property loss, and airlines may face legal claims or insurance issues.

Regulatory Sanctions: If non-compliance with safety regulations is found, the airline or crew may face penalties or operational restrictions.

9. Follow-Up and Lessons Learned

Re-evaluation of Safety Procedures: Airlines, regulators, and aviation organizations like ICAO review and update safety protocols to ensure continuous improvement in aviation safety.

Training and Simulation: The incident may lead to changes in pilot and crew training to include the specific scenario in future simulations.

By following these steps, the aviation industry ensures a systematic and transparent approach to managing incidents, maintaining a high level of safety and continuous improvement in aviation practices.