Matching Fragments
(i) Wg Cdr T. Sajan;
(ii) Wg Cdr K.K. Sharma
(iii) Wg Cdr S. Bhattacharjee
(iv) Flt. Lt. D. Pankaj
2. Wg Cdr Sajan produces a sealed envelope containing information
about the accidents of Air Force Air Crafts which have occurred since
1990. The document is perused and returned to Wg Cdr Sajan. Wg Cdr
Sajan would submit that this information can not be disclosed to the
appellant in supreme national interest and is exempted from disclosure
under clause (a) of section 8 (1) of RTI Act. He would also submit that
the Air Force essentially is a mission centric organisation where safety
aspect is also paid adequate attention. According to him, the accidents
basically take place due to 03 causes viz. (i) technical defects, (ii) human
error & inadequacy/failure of support services. As regards the technical
defects, he would submit that if the information regarding accidents due
to technical defects is placed in public domain, the national security will
be jeoparadised. Human error occurs due to the personal traits of the
Pilots; training deficiencies, if any, and the violation of SOP etc. The
Court of Inquiry contains all this information but disclosure thereof
would, again, jeoparadise national security. The same would hold good
for the deficiency in support services whether it is ATC or Fighter
Controllers etc. He, thus, forcefully pleads that information regarding
IAF Aircraft accidents should not be disclosed in the interest of national
security.
"2. Comments of this Ministry on Paras 1, 2 & 3 of the RTI
application dated 14.10.2008 filed by Ex Sqn Ldr Vijay Prakash are as
follows :-
Para 1 :- While information in respect of date and time of Aircraft
involved in accidents have been mentioned in reply to Parliament
questions, the details of such accidents are not shared. Only the broad
category of the cause of accidents namely, Human Error (Aircrew),
Technical Defect, Bird Hit etc. is divulged. Copies of replies given in
respect of Parliament Questions recently are enclosed. Each aircraft
accident in the IAF is investigated thoroughly by a Court of Inquiry. The
Court of Inquiry studies the accident threadbare, identifies the cause and
recommends remedial/corrective measures. The findings of the Court of
Inquiry indicate weak areas/shortcomings and remedial actions. The
proceedings also contain an account of up-gradation/revision of
equipment/procedures which is a reflection of operational potential
preparedness and morale in the IAF. Therefore, providing details of such
accidents would lead to divulging critical information which would be
detrimental to the national security. In view of the above, it is opined that
although such information as date of accident, make of the aircraft etc can
be disclosed, however, details regarding Court of Inquiry should not be
revealed.
