Now,new rules for air ambulances

had a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) nor a Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR),making investigators’ task difficult. For,as per current standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),an aircraft weighing less than 5,700 kg need not be equipped with a black box (which includes a CVR or DFDR or both.)

“We have directed the DGCA to evaluate the fitting of CVR and DFDR and to review the regulatory framework for air ambulances,” Civil Aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi told The Indian Express. “It’s a very difficult investigation,there is nothing (referring to CVR or DFDR).The investigating team will have to rely on eyewitness accounts,debris and other records,” he said.

A team lead by DGCA’s Deputy Director (Air Safety) will visit the site. For the first time,the government has constituted an independent investigation committee under its supervision to inquire into the crash. “This will be akin to an administrative board to analyse and present its reports to the government for approval,” Zaidi said.

At present,any medical flight or air-ambulance operator is required to obtain a Non Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP). “As of now,there is no separate regulation (for medical flights). These are operating as per the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) for NSOP holders. I will ask a working group to start preparing rules,” said Zaidi. He said the proposed CAR is likely to include only twin-engine operations for medical flights or air ambulances,details of special seating configuration,and specifications of mandatory medical equipment.

“All documents of the aircraft,Pilatus PC-12 VT-ACF,have been found to be in place. The NSOP for the aircraft is valid upto May 14,2013,” said A K Sharan,joint DGCA.

He said the commander,Harpreet Singh,had over 1,200 hours of flying experience with this type of aircraft. “The weather radar is believed to be in good condition as the aircraft was relatively new,” he said.

“Authorities are already in touch with the Swiss manufacturer. They have assured us support in the investigation process. We will ask them to provide all necessary documents,” said Sharan.

As per the preliminary report submitted to the Ministry,the aircraft crashed at 10.45 pm yesterday,16 miles south-east of Delhi. The flight took-off at 20:33 hours from Patna airport and its estimated arrival time in Delhi was 22:45 hours. “Last contact with Delhi ATC was 22:45 hours at 11,000 feet. The Commander reported to ATC that he was facing bad weather and deviated to the left of the track and also descended below 11,000 feet,the level assigned by ATC,” the preliminary report said.

The flight carrying seven on board,including two flight crew and the 20-year old patient Rahul Raj,got caught in bad weather and crashed seconds later,killing all on board.

Sources said the ATC sent distress signals to other aircraft flying over the area to notice if the call sign VT-ACF could be seen anywhere. At 10:48 pm,a call from the Fire department informed the ATC that the aircraft had crashed over Faridabad,sources said.

“In all probability,the aircraft got stuck in an air pocket,tried to navigate and regain control but was thrown out of gear by the cloud,” said a senior ATC official.

Air Charter Services Private Limited,which is registered as the company that owned and operated the air ambulance,announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the three people who were killed on ground and Rs 20,000 for the injured.

The seven on board have an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh each and the company,whose officials were called for a meeting with the Civil Aviation ministry and the DGCA,has promised to get these insurance claims settled at the earliest.

Air Charter Services has also requested Apollo Hospital to give back the entire amount that was charged from the family of the patient. The flight was hired at a cost of Rs 70,000 per hour,the company’s Director (Operations),Sunil Gaur,told The Indian Express.

Company officials said there are three Pilatus charter aircraft run by the company,all of which used to operate almost every day. Secretary Zaidi said called a meeting of the company’s directors to discuss and expedite insurance-related issues.