Stop empty speculations on plane crashes and wait for accurate probe reports

By Irene Akinyi Gogo

One of the first aviation maxims I have learnt is that every accident is caused by a chain of events. And every accident is a lesson to learn from. Last week, a Cessna training aircraft collided with a passenger plane carrying 44 people above the city, claiming the life of a student and an instructor, according to a police report.

There was blame trading in social media sites on who among the casualties could have been responsible for the unfortunate happening. Some blamed the pilot student and the instructor while others claimed airplanes in the country are obsolete and not fit to be flown.

I would like to express my view by urging Kenyans that aviation accidents, just like those of road and rail, are investigated and have reports released to unravel the cause. There needs to be sobriety while commenting on aviation accidents because the best way to know what really happened is to wait for investigations by experts to unravel the truth.

Although flying is the safest method of transportation, accidents occasionally happen—whether through human error, mechanical failure, or criminal activity.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires that a civil aircraft accident be investigated by an independent body belonging to the country where the accident took place. Each country has its own organization taking responsibility for this.

The purpose of the investigation is to find out why the accident happened and how similar events might be avoided in the future, rather than to apportion blame. The police will be involved in the investigation if sabotage or some other form of criminal activity is suspected.

The investigation team usually consists of a permanent core group and outside scientific experts who are called on when needed. They respond immediately to the accident and go to the accident site.

The investigation is usually very detailed. For instance, the history of the flight and the crewmembers’ duties leading up to the accident are noted. Careful documentation is made of the wreckage and accident scene, with calculation of the impact angles so that the pre-accident flight path can be determined.

Crew-members are interviewed to look at possible human error factors, such as medical history, fatigue, training, workload, working environment, and drug and alcohol abuse. If survivors are involved, the team will document injuries, offer support, and arrange evacuation and rescue efforts.

Accidents are rarely caused by one thing but usually a chain of improbable events. So if you can disrupt one link of the chain, then similar accidents may be averted in the future.

It is therefore important to wait for official police investigation reports to help dispel out any fears from people who are not accustomed to the ongoing problems in the aviation sector.

Working in the aviation industry is a fulfilling career, but to reach it, student pilots encounter several challenges that test their skills.

Getting a feel for the cockpit, for instance, is an obstacle many student pilots have to overcome. The cockpit is where the main controls of the aircraft are located, and as an aspiring pilot, you need to familiarize yourself with all the flight instruments to ensure a safe and successful flight. We should instill courage to learners dreaming of building careers in the aviation industry.

The writer is an aviation student and enthusiast