THIS is apropos of your editorial about the crash investigation (Sept 3) highlighting the inordinate delay in disseminating pertinent information about the investigation into the horrific crash of Airblue in the Margalla Hills.

The reticence on the part of the DG, Civil Aviation Authority, and the federal government is unnecessarily spawning speculation among the public and anxiety among the families of the victims.

While it may take time to identify the causes of the crash, some preliminary information should be made public to allay the misgivings about lack of interest in this vital public matter by the government. At the very least the following information should be made public immediately:

1) Considering the seriousness of the accident, whether a Board of Accident Inquiry has been ordered by the federal government under Rule 282 of the CA Rules, 1994;

2) What is the composition of the board? What “legal knowledge and experience or knowledge in aeronautical engineering, or flight operation” or “other specialist knowledge or experience” the chairman or members of the board possess as per the CA Rules? This is necessary to evoke confidence in the competence of the board.

(It may be of interest to know that under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, an open ‘court’ by the central government composed of competent persons was invariably ordered into aircraft accidents. The court was to be headed by a person no less than one “who is or has been a Judge of a High Court ... or an Advocate or a Barrister of not less than 10 years standing”);

3) The editorial also correctly voices the general complaint of a “history of never providing credible explanations for preventable disasters including earlier accidents”, which are about 20. The reason why the results of the previous investigations have not seen the light of day is the protection provided to such investigations under the same CA Rules, 1994 and also under the earlier CA Rules, 1978.

These left it to the discretion of the federal government whether to publish the report of the inquiry or not. One fails to understand why not a single case deserved to be made public!

It may be pointed out that the International Civil Aviation Organisation, with whom my humble association lasted for 10 years, lays down mandatory rules of civil aviation to be followed by all member states (including Pakistan). It has directed (under Annex 13, July 2001 edition) as under:

“In the interest of accident prevention, the State conducting investigation of an incident or accident shall release the Final Report as soon as possible”.

The CAA will be well advised to amend their rules accordingly, which is not only a legal necessity but also essential for gaining public confidence in the credibility of the investigation.

GROUP CAPTAIN (Rtd) S.M. ANWAR

Karachi