Since 2015, there have been 93 security incidents in commercial aircraft in India while three aircraft have crashed or suffered mid-air collisions. There have also been 12 crashes of military aircraft during that time period, according to data collated from reports of individual incidents and the Aviation Global Incident Map. According to the Map, the period has been better compared to previous years in India with only 93 cases of forced or emergency landings and security glitches in aircraft flying in Indian airspaces reported since 2015, according to data which revealed there were at least 140 incidents in 2014.
Interestingly, 18 out of these incidents included aircraft of Indian national carrier Air India, while 15 out of those 18 incidents were counted as substantial. The incidents involved at least 13 direct technical or structural failures in aircraft, while in another incident, the flight engineer was sucked into the flight engine during push back. The other incidents included engine failure, cracked windshields, and burst tyres while landing, hydraulic leaks, smoke inside aircraft and more.
Three private or small aircraft, however, crashed during the said time period. The first was when an air ambulance crashed in Kair. In the second incident, a flying enthusiast died in a crash in Kodagu. The last incident took place in the Yelahanka Air Force station where a UK red bull stunt plane was involved in a minor mid-air collision.
As many as 12 military aircraft also crashed during that time period which included incidents in Jodhpur (IAF jet), Dwarka (BSF plane), Barli (UAV), Pokhran (UAV), Soibugh (IAF MiG), Naini (IAF Jaguar aircraft), Mayurbhanj (IAF Hawk trainer), Nagaon (IAF jet), Goa (Indian Navy jet), Landi (IAF jet), Jamnagar (Mig 21) and Barmer (MiG 27).
There was no major crash incident of a commercial aircraft and no lives were claimed due to the same. The national air carrier has a fleet of 108 aircraft with plans to add at least 100 more in the next 10 years.
The new Civil Aviation Policy has put down firm rules in terms of safety standards and these have been reiterated by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
“Aircraft security is of prime importance and we enforce strict security checks to make sure that all operators adhere to the rules which are important for preservation of lives. The new policy is solid and it will be implemented properly and effectively,” said B.B. Dash, Joint Commissioner of Security (Civil Aviation), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.