AAIB Recommends Recording Equipment for Air Traffic Control Towers at International Airports

Investigation into Serious Incident at Delhi Airport

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has proposed the installation of devices to record both the video and background conversations of air traffic controllers on duty at all international airport control towers.

This recommendation follows an investigation into a serious incident involving a 34-year-old Ariana Afghan Airlines A310-304 aircraft that landed on the runway at Delhi Airport while another plane was taking off at nearly the same time. The agency has issued interim safety recommendations in its preliminary report.

The incident occurred on November 23, when flight AFG311, arriving from Kabul, landed on an unassigned runway at Delhi Airport. According to the AAIB's five-page report, the aircraft's crew informed air traffic control that their Instrument Landing System (ILS) had failed approximately four nautical miles from landing, and due to poor visibility, they were unable to distinguish between runways RWY29L and RWY29R.

The report states, 'To analyze the actions of controllers following the incident/accident, it is recommended that ATC units be equipped with devices to record video and background conversations of controllers on duty in the tower. This should be implemented as a priority at all international airports.'

Furthermore, the report emphasizes that the recorded information will only be utilized for investigation purposes by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the AAIB.