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IAF lose 147 planes, 63 pilots, Rs 7.04 billion during 1991-97

The Indian Air Force lost 147 aircraft and 63 pilots in 187 accidents during 1991-97. Moreover, during the same period, there were 2,729 incidents, many of which could have caused accidents, said the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The MiG-21 variants account for the maximum number of accidents in the IAF, the CAG added.

At 1.89 accidents per 10,000 flying hours, the fighters have the second highest accident rate among the aircraft possessed by the IAF.

However, the average number of accidents for all types of aircraft per 10,000 flying hours has come down from 1.52 accidents in 1991-92 to 0.89 accidents in 1996-97.

This drastic reduction in the overall accident-rate notwithstanding, MiG-21 variants have the highest rate of accidents at 2,55 per 10,000 flying hours, though it is down from 3.99 during 1991-92.

The accident-rate for the fighter stream, though down from 3.53 in 1991-92, continues to be high at 1.89 per 10,000 flying hours.

At least 77 out of the 187 accidents were attributed to human error. Human error accidents can be a direct fallout of compromise in training due to non-availability of advanced jet trainer aircraft which expose the young pilot to an operational environment, the doubtful reliability of existing trainer aircraft, and the non-availability of synthetic training aids like simulators.

Many accidents and incidents were due to bird hits. But the measures to control the chances of bird hits, which requires the involvement of other ministries, were languishing.

The courts of inquiry categorised 67 per cent of the accidents to technical defects during 1996-97, which was up from only 28.21 per cent in 1991-92.

The IAF attributed most of the technical defect accidents to manufacturing or overhauling by the public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

From time to time during 1982-87, the defence ministry has constituted six high-powered committees to investigate the causes of accidents and suggest remedial measures.

The last committee set up in February 1997 under the chairmanship of scientific advisor to defence minister had submitted its report in September 1997, which was under the consideration in the ministry of defence.

Of the total accidents during the period, 147 were serious, where aircraft worth Rs 7.04 billion were totally destroyed or rendered beyond economical repair.

The year-wise break-up of the total of 187 accidents and 2,729 incidents in IAF between April 1991 and March 1997 is:
1991-92 -- 39 accidents, 499 incidents, 256,200 flying hours;
1992-93 -- 27 accidents, 459 incidents, 238,362 flying hours;
1993-94 -- 29 accidents, 416 incidents, 239,412 flying hour;
1994-95 -- 30 accidents, 410 incidents, 252,822 flying hours;
1995-96 -- 38 accidents, 465 incidents, 268,385 flying hours; and,
1996-97 -- 24 accidents, 480 incidents, 275,505 flying hours.

Even though there was a decline in total number of accidents during 1996-97, the accidents involving fighter aircraft remained as high as 75 per cent of the total number of accidents.

Besides, in nearly 62 per cent of fighter aircraft accidents, the aircraft involved were MiG-21 variants inducted in 1960s.

Human error, technical defects and bird-hits were the main contributory factors leading to aircraft accidents and incidents.

The number of accidents due to technical defects showed an upward trend during 1996-97, when it was as high as 67 per cent of the total accidents.

Bird strikes were responsible in case of nine per cent of the accidents and 21 per cent of the incidents.

The courts of inquiry, after noticing shortcomings and deficiencies in IAF flying training, maintenance and operating procedures, have made numerous recommendations for revision, standardisation, updating and formulation of special operating procedures, servicing instructions and schedules and training syllabus.

The CAG observed that despite this, some of the serious accidents due to mid-air collision, fuel starvation and such other things were indicative that the operating standards in the IAF were not failsafe.

UNI

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