Wednesday, August 3 2005 16:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Expert committee on aircraft accidents has found that planes having older technology, including Mig-21s, were more prone to mishaps, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (August 3, 2005) said.

New technology aircraft incorporate improved design features, which provides better air safety, Mukherjee said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Pilot error constitutes approximately 43 per cent of aircraft accidents in the Indian Air force and this trend is found in all aviation organisations (civilian and military) across the world, he said.

Aircraft accidents due to Technical Defects (TD) account for 39 per cent of the mishaps in the IAF, he said.

The Committee, which has submitted its report, has made wide-ranging recommendations towards improving pilot training, covering all aspects of pilot selection, he said adding it included upgradation of selection requirement, induction of new "computerised Pilot Selection System" at Air Force Selection Boards, simulator training flying, focussed training and closer monitoring of the pilots by supervisors.

It has also suggested formulation of a strategy to manage the risk inherent in the old technology aircraft, monitoring of failure trends and strengthening of quality assurance and airworthiness certification procedures at the overhauling facilities of the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he said.