LAST YEAR'S "Black October" - resulting in 27 deaths in South Africa from fatal aircraft accidents - prompted both a hardening of insurance rates and a tightening of civil aviation regulations.
Research by SA's Commissioner for Civil Aviation shows that over a five-year period the ratio of serious accidents to registered aircraft has steadily risen by around 1,6%/year. Over that period the number of aircraft registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grew from 8 403 to 10 189 by 2007.
Captain Colin Jordaan of the CAA, in a newsletter, says: "It should be noted that there's not a common thread that can be identified as being a specific cause in these recent accidents."
SA has one of Africa's largest light aircraft populations, currently numbering around 11 000 light commercial, sport and other types.
Molly Charles, of Glenrand MIB's aviation division, says the spate of accidents has caused the insurance sector to reassess risk in SA's aviation industry and rates began to harden by 10% to15% more than a year ago.
In addition, a new Civil Aviation Bill now seeks to bring SA aviation legislation into line with regulations passed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), of which SA is a member.
Tania Siciliano, director of corporate law firm Bell Dewar, says the most significant impact of the Bill will be on the investigation of aircraft accidents. "The purpose of the Bill is to consolidate the current Aviation Act, the Civil Aviation Offences Act and the South African Civil Aviation Authority Act, all of which will be repealed," says Siciliano.
"The Bill contemplates the establishment of an Aviation Security Investigation Board. Its function would be to conduct investigations into aviation accidents, identify safety deficiencies and make recommendations for the rectification of such deficiencies to relevant stakeholders. It will also monitor the implementation of its safety recommendations made by those stakeholders.
"The provisions of the Bill reflect an intention to take more seriously the investigation of aircraft accidents and to ensure the results of an investigation are made public," Siciliano says.
To that end investigators appointed by the board will have unrestricted access to and control over aircraft involved in an accident, as well as the accident site. They will have extensive powers of search and seizure of documents relevant to the accident (including the medical records of flight personnel) and will be entitled to compel witnesses to give evidence on oath before them. Those who interfere with investigators would be subject to fines and imprisonment.
"There will accordingly be every incentive for aircraft owners and operators, airline operators and airport operators to ensure they meet internationally accepted safety standards. They will, in turn, put pressure on aircraft maintenance organisations to provide air maintenance services that comply with international standards. Given the severe shortage of skills the industry will be faced with many challenges," says Siciliano.
The CAA will be responsible for controlling and regulating safety and security in the civil aviation environment and for developing regulatory requirements and technical aviation security and safety standards.
"The Department of Transport will have to ensure that inspections, audits, tests and investigations of the security standards, security measures and operating procedures of airports, airlines and providers of security services are conducted," says Siciliano. |
