(MENAFN) The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended three air traffic controllers after two planes, one belonging to Air India and the other to Nepal Airlines, were involved in a near miss over Nepal. The incident occurred last Friday and involved a Nepal Airlines Airbus A-320 flying to Kathmandu from Kuala Lumpur and an Air India plane from New Delhi, which was en route to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The Nepal Airlines aircraft was flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet, while the Air India aircraft was descending from 19,000 feet. The collision was averted after warning signals alerted the pilots, prompting the Nepal Airlines aircraft to descend to 7,000 feet.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter, and has suspended the air traffic controllers involved in the incident until further notice. The authority has also reportedly banned the Air India pilots from landing in Kathmandu, and has written to India's aviation regulator regarding the incident.
This incident follows a plane crash in January, when a Yeti Airlines flight carrying 68 passengers and four crew members crashed minutes before it was due to land at Pokhara's international airport. The plane had taken off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and crashed into a 300-metre-deep gorge between Pokhara’s old airport and its new international airport, killing all 72 people aboard. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Air traffic control is a critical component of aviation safety, and incidents like this highlight the importance of effective communication and coordination between air traffic controllers and pilots. The suspension of the air traffic controllers and the investigation into the incident demonstrate Nepal's commitment to maintaining high standards of aviation safety. However, this incident also underscores the need for ongoing training and education for air traffic controllers and pilots to ensure that they are equipped to handle complex situations and emergencies.
In conclusion, the near miss between an Air India plane and a Nepal Airlines plane over Nepal highlights the importance of effective air traffic control and the need for ongoing training and education for air traffic controllers and pilots. The suspension of the air traffic controllers and the investigation into the incident demonstrate Nepal's commitment to maintaining high standards of aviation safety. However, incidents like this serve as a reminder that aviation safety requires constant vigilance and the implementation of best practices to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
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