How is the Iran air crash being probed? (Downing of Ukrainian plane by Iran, and technical investigations)

Excellent study material for all civil services aspirants - begin learning - Kar ke dikhayenge!

 How is the Iran air crash being probed? (Downing of Ukrainian plane by Iran, and technical investigations)

---

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

---

• Acceptance and apology: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accepted that the military accidentally shot down Ukraine International Airlines' Boeing 737-800 killing all 176 on board. The flight was from Tehran to Kiev, Ukraine. It fell down from 8000 ft after missiles hit.
• Investigations start: The initial report was put out by Iran's AAIB - Aircraft Accident Investigation Board.

1. It claimed there was a technical problem and the plane turned direction to return to the airport.
2. There was intense fire and then it hit the ground.
3. Aircraft's black boxes retrieved - Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
4. Iran is following the UN ICAO protocols on such accidents - giving news, protecting the accident site, protecting  evidence, and informing all concerned nations.  (ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organisation)

• Black box technologies: Some top firms make the 'Black Boxes' used in modern avionics.

1. These are multi-channel recording devices, solid-state, with no tape
2. Chips keep recording data on speed, height, rates of ascent/descent, flight path, location, fuel levels, temperatures etc.
3. Regulators now want two devices per aircraft (for safety)
4. The FDR and CVR together paint the full picture of the event.
5. Stress testing on equipment includes most extreme scenarios - against concrete, in high temperatures, at high water  pressures, etc.

• Analysing the data: Only a few specialised agencies can do a full data analysis from the Black Boxes, with the West leading.

1. There are controversies about 'who best can read them'
2. The disappearance of Malaysian MH370 in 2014 and latest accident may prompt a shift to real time data streaming using cloud-based satellite links, video recording etc. 
3. European norms mandate 25-hour recordings from 2021.

• Responsibilities in investigations: The country where it happens, is responsible for a proper investigation. The international law states that there is an obligation to not perform any act of aggression against a civilian aircraft. (which Iran did)

1. An expert third country can be called in to help with technical aspects
2. Normally the aircraft maker (Boeing of USA in Iran's case) is also called in
3. Iran has called in the NTSB (USA) and Boeing (USA) but it has to allow them to effectively carry out their work 
4. The procedure followed is as per the Chicago Convention (Convention on International Civil Aviation), Annex 13.
5. Aim of investigation is not fixing blame on someone, but prevention of such accidents in future.
6. Four states participate in an investigation: state where the crash has occurred; state of the operator; the state of registration; state of the manufacturer.

• Indian law: In India, the air accident investigation is governed by the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012.
• Can a state shoot down a civilian aircraft: An amendment in the Chicago convention (India has not ratified) provides that states should refrain from  use of weapons against civilian aircraft. But the act is not made illegal, provided the state had reasonable reasons to believe that the aircraft was on a destructive path. So grounds for shooting down can be

1. it the state believes the aircraft is being used for terror 
2. the aircraft is not responding to any other means of interception 
3. it is headed towards a strategically important or a populated place.

• Compensating the dead: The state responsible does so. 

1. In the 2001 Siberia Airlines case, Ukraine and Israel signed an agreement where the family members of the Israeli citizens were awarded $200,000 each by Ukraine (that had shot down a Siberia Airlines jet, Flight 1812, from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk)
2. In the 1988 incident (U.S. Navy shooting down the Iran Air plane), U.S. paid much later on humanitarian grounds
3. The Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine was shot down by Russian rebels (using BUK missiles) but no one claimed responsibility

• International Court of Justice: If it is found that a State shot down a plane without any terror apprehension, it can be taken to the ICJ.
• Summary : There are well-laid procedures and laws governing aviation accidents, and those involving a state's shooting down of a civilian plane.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

Join UPSC Self Prep course | Online Course (PT Gurukul)  | Covid Special Course | Join PT courses

* Content sourced from free internet sources (publications, PIB site, international sites, etc.). Take your own subscriptions. Copyrights acknowledged.