The ATR crash compensation – laughable

This is with reference to the advertisement placed by PIA, announcing compensation of Rs 5 Million to the next of kin of those who perished in the ill-fated PK-661 crash. PIA and other private airlines regulated by CAA collect competitive fares from passengers, yet insurance coverage is far lower for those travelling on Pakistani airlines. The irony is that a PIA pilot’s salary – most of it almost tax free – is comparable to that being paid in region, but passenger insurance cover is not.

Ever since political cronies have headed PIA and CAA, there has been a rise in incidents and accidents occurring within our airspace. Numerous complaints and allegations have surfaced of irregularities in recruitment of pilots, engineers etc and in rare cases when an investigation such as AVM Mushaff Mir report was issued, no punitive action taken against culprits. This amounts to criminal Culpable Homicide on part of those involved in irregularities and compromises in recruitment. Even after it was revealed that over 250 fake degree holders were recruited between 2008 and 2012, they continue to be on payrolls while PIA by default has failed to get stay orders vacated.

How can Secretary Aviation, holding charge of Chairman PIA and also executive head of CAA brief Senate Committee, still not have conclusive findings based on data from Black Box, when this Digital Flight Data Recorder is still being probed by experts in France. Is this not misleading the senate Committee? Why should this gentleman issue such a statement, not based on facts?

There exists a tape recording of conversation between pilot of PK 661 and ATC where even after the first “may-day” call there seems to be no sense of emergency by the controller to expedite direct landing, directing other aircraft to hold for 15 minutes or more – as is done, frequently, to give priority landings to VIP aircrafts. On what basis does Secretary Aviation imply that the pilot made no effort to land quickly when neither the Cockpit Voice Recorder nor Black Box findings are available? In this case, PIA management and CAA need to explain the decision to hire contract pilots from outside.

G Zaman

 Peshawar