M8217;lore crash changes flying in India

At that time,the commander had gone to the toilet after putting the plane on auto-pilot mode and the co-pilot blanked out as the aircraft dived over 6,000 feet.

The fresh directives,issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA reiterating the Standard Operating Procedures SOPs,asked airlines,non-scheduled and general aviation operators to 8220;ensure that 8216;correct8217; landings are aimed by pilots rather than achieving soft landings at lower 8216;G8217; gravity values that may compromise the runway stopping distance required8221;.

In case of an 8220;unstabilised approach8221; if not timely corrected,the pilots should make a 8216;go-around8217; so that they get another opportunity to conduct a safe approach,it said.

As per preliminary investigations,the Mangalore crash occurred after the plane reportedly missed the touchdown

point,an area of about 500 feet,on the runway.

As a large percentage of incidents and accidents occurred during approach,landing or take off phases of a flight when the pilots generally operate on manual flight mode,the DGCA said 8220;it is critical that SOPs are followed meticulously in these phases of flight8221;.

8220;Pilots need to bear in mind that a good landing is the result of a good approach which is built on adherence to SOPs. A good landing is not one that the passengers perceive as a soft landing,but one that is made at the correct point on the runway with the correct flight parameters,8221; it said.

The regulator warned that a soft landing could result in a delayed touchdown which would need 8220;harsh8221; deceleration in speed to maintain the aircraft on the runway or 8220;even worse a runway excursion with possible catastrophic results8221;.

On manning of the cockpit at all times during flight,the DGCA directive reiterated this as mandatory and said in case one of the crew members has to leave the cockpit during the non-critical phases of flight,the cabin crew is required to be inside the cockpit and occupy the observer seat but not those meant for the pilots.

8220;The cabin crew in the flight deck will remain vigilant in case of subtle incapacitation of the flight deck crew or any other situation that requires assistance,8221; the DGCA said.

It said the cabin crew would remain in the flight deck till such time the flight deck crew member returns to the deck,it said and called for 8220;strict compliance8221; of the fresh directive.