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Accident/Incident Investigation
Dear Editor,
It was reported in the media that on the 5th July 2009, there was a near miss within the airspace of the Guyana Air Traffic Control System, involving an outbound Learjet aircraft and an inbound Liat Dash-8 aircraft.
It was further reported that a senior official had stated that an investigation had been launched into the incident, after which required action will be taken against whichever party is found to be at fault. This would appear to be the logical follow-up by the Civil Aviation Authority in such a matter.
However, in the modern world of Aviation, most accident/incident investigating agencies do not lay emphasis on apportioning blame and administering punishment. These investigations now focus on the following priority objectives:-
(1) What was the direct cause of the accident/incident
(2) What were the contributory causes of the accident/incident
(3) What must be done to prevent recurrence
The NTSB (National Transport Safety Board) of the USA is in the vanguard of this enlightened approach to accident/incident investigation.
This does not mean that negligence and mistakes should be tolerated. The point being made is that taking action against the party at fault should not be the priority objective and the end of the matter.
On the 7th October, 2008, there was a near miss involving a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 and a Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737. On the 7th June 2009 there was a near miss involving a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Skyvan aircraft and a Trans Guyana Caravan aircraft over the Mazaruni area.
Now one month later there is another near miss. Perhaps there are factors within the Air Traffic Control System, which must be addressed in order to prevent a disaster.
Lloyd H. Marshall
Former Boeing 757 Captain
Former Air Traffic Controller
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