Enhancing Aviation Safety: AAIB Pushes for Video Monitoring in Control Towers
India's aviation safety landscape is set for a significant upgrade as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has proposed a crucial new measure. To ensure better transparency and detailed analysis during investigations, the bureau has recommended mandatory ATC video recording inside air traffic control towers at all international airports across the country.
Trigger for the Move
This recommendation follows a serious runway incident reported at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi last November. An aircraft belonging to Ariana Afghan Airlines landed on an unassigned runway, raising alarms about communication and operational coordination. Following a probe into this event, investigators realized the vital need for visual evidence to understand what transpires inside the control room during critical moments.
What Will Change?
Under this proposal, ATC towers at international hubs—potentially including Odisha's Biju Patnaik International Airport—must be equipped with advanced systems. These devices will not only record video footage but also capture background communications within the control rooms. Currently, investigators rely heavily on radar data and audio transcripts. Adding video visual data will allow the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reconstruct events with much higher precision.
Focus on Decision Making
The primary goal of installing ATC video recording systems is to analyze the decision-making process of controllers during abnormal or high-risk situations. “Safety recommendation is made to analyze the controller's actions post any incident or accident,” the AAIB report stated. This visual data will help investigators understand the stress factors, teamwork, and immediate reactions of the staff during emergencies.
Ongoing Investigations
Regarding the Delhi incident, the AAIB has already secured initial statements from the flight crew and controllers, alongside radar recordings. However, the push for video evidence highlights a growing regulatory focus on using technology to eliminate ambiguity in accident probes. While the preliminary report has not yet assigned blame, this new recommendation marks a proactive step toward minimizing future risks in Indian skies.
