KATHMANDU, Sept 3: Despite repeated air accidents causing significant damage and loss of life in the country, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and pilots have only exchanged accusations regarding the incidents. Instead of focusing on accident prevention, the primary stakeholders have been trying to deflect blame onto each other to avoid responsibility.
A few days ago, during a public event, Pradeep Adhikari, the director general of CAAN, placed the blame for aviation accidents on the pilots. A senior pilot criticized Director General Adhikari for making irresponsible statements to avoid responsibility.
The pilots mentioned that by placing the entire blame for the aircraft accident on the pilots, CAAN sought to absolve itself, as evidenced by the release of the cockpit voice recorder from the Yeti Airlines accident on January 15 last year. One pilot commented, "Blaming the pilots allowed them to escape without any accountability."
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In some cases, pilots may also make errors, but it is not appropriate to place all the blame solely on the pilots, according to the pilots. "It’s not that pilots never make mistakes," a pilot said, "Aircraft accidents can also result from factors such as poor weather, the airport tower, the airline company responsible for flying the aircraft, and the technical team responsible for the aircraft’s comprehensive checks."
He stated that until now, the primary causes of many accidents have not been investigated to determine whether they were due to technical or human errors. According to the pilots, no one knows if a pilot intentionally causes harm or commits suicide on the aircraft.
A few days ago, during an aviation safety event organized by the Airline Operators Association of Nepal, CAAN DG Adhikari claimed that aircraft accidents are caused by pilots. He cited the investigation committee, stating that accidents occur due to pilot errors. However, he acknowledged that pilots are not the only ones at fault; issues can also arise from the flight safety department, training, air traffic control, engineering, technical departments, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, airlines company, and infrastructure. Director General Adhikari mentioned that out of all the aviation accidents that have occurred so far, 98 were attributed to pilot errors.
CAAN is the regulatory body for civil aviation. The pilots argue that CAAN, as the authority responsible for aviation safety, should also be held accountable for aviation accidents.
After two plane crashes within 15 days last August, CAAN Director General Adhikari was widely criticized for lacking effective leadership. During his two and a half years tenure, there have been eight plane crashes. Last month, there were accidents involving a Saurya Airlines plane and an Air Dynasty helicopter. There have been questions raised about Adhikari’s working style from parliament and parliamentary committees.
In the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of parliament, there were also demands that DG Adhikari be suspended. He has been accused of repeated plane crashes due to his lack of capability and irresponsibility.
Director General Adhikari claims that plane crashes are due to clouds or bad weather. According to CAAN's data, there have been 109 accidents in Nepal's aviation history to date. In these 109 aircraft accidents, both small and large, 964 people have died. Adhikari was appointed as the Director General of CAAN in February 2022.
