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Extract from Today’s Hong Kong’s SCMP article – Sriwijaya Air flight SJ 182: WHY IS INDONESIA THE DEADLIEST PLACE IN ASIA FOR PLANE CRASHES?
COULD THE LATEST CRASH HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY RUSTY PILOTS DUE TO THE LACK OF FLYING HOURS?
“While flying rates have reduced across Asia and the world during Covid-19, and as a result of associated border closures, pilots would still be maintaining their core skills as part of mandatory recurrent simulator training at prescribed intervals. This would make them ‘current and legal to fly’,” said Dane Williams, director of Aviation Safety Asia, a Hong-Kong based consulting firm.
“However, factors such as confidence and reaction time may have been reduced if the crew involved had experienced reduced flying rates or a hiatus between flights, compared to their usual routine,” added Williams, who has conducted numerous aviation safety audits on Indonesian operators.
WILL THINGS IMPROVE AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Williams said Indonesia needed to tighten safety standards.
“Ideally, the solution is for the Indonesian government to lead from the top and better train and resource the aviation regulator. [This includes] ensuring minimum standards and tight controls exist in relation to the issuance of air operators’ certificates, which allows operators to carry passengers on scheduled services,” said Williams.
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