Latest news with #CivilAviationRegulations
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
DGCA directs airlines to improve passenger support amid Pak airspace restriction
New Delhi: Amid the closure of Pakistan airspace for Indian airlines and aircraft, the civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has instructed the airlines to implement a set of mandatory passenger handling measures to address extended flight durations and possible technical stops. This comes as the Pakistan airspace restrictions have disrupted flight paths, resulting in longer block times and the need for operational halts at intermediate airports. As per the new DGCA directive issued on Saturday, the airlines have been asked to proactively inform passengers about revised flight routes, total expected travel time from departure to arrival, and the possibility of technical stops. The advisory by the DGCA said that passengers must be clearly told that such stops are operational in nature, and that they will generally remain onboard during these halts. This information should be shared at check-in counters, boarding gates, and, where feasible, through SMS or email alerts. It also said that, to ensure passenger comfort, airlines must revise in-flight catering to match the new flight durations. 'This includes providing adequate meals, beverages, additional hydration, dry snacks, and any special meals requested as per the passenger manifest,' it said. The regulator also said that medical preparedness is also a priority and instructed the airlines to ensure that onboard first-aid kits are adequately available and that alternate or technical stop airports are equipped with emergency medical support and ambulances. The DGCA said that the cabin crew members operating such flights must be briefed on handling passenger fatigue, discomfort, or medical situations. The regulator clarified that the airlines are also expected to prepare their customer service teams for potential delays, missed onward connections, and any required assistance or compensation in line with Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR). For this, the DGCA emphasised that there should be strong internal coordination among flight dispatch units, customer support teams, ground handling services, inflight providers, and medical vendors at designated alternate airports. The circular has been issued as a mandatory guideline to safeguard passenger safety, comfort, and regulatory compliance. The DGCA warned that failure to adhere to these measures may lead to enforcement action. 'The directive is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice,' the advisory concluded.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unsecured Penguin Causes Helicopter Crash After Hitting Pilot's Controls in Freak Accident
A penguin was reportedly the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa. According to the BBC and U.K. newspaper The Telegraph, a report by the South African Civil Aviation Authority stated that the unsecured bird, which had been put in a cardboard box, slipped off a passenger's lap and hit the pilot's controls on Jan. 19. The crash occurred just after take off from Bird Island in South Africa's Eastern Cape, per the BBC. According to NBC News, the helicopter was about 50 feet into the air when 'the cardboard box slid off to the right and onto the pilot's cyclic pitch control lever.' The helicopter then rolled before its rotor blades hit the ground and it crashed on its right side. PEOPLE has contacted the South African Civil Aviation Authority for comment. Related: 2 Dogs Find Homes After Surviving Plane Crash That Killed Rescue Flight Pilot Trying to Help Them According to NBC News, the report said, 'None of the occupants was injured; the penguin was also unharmed, 'The lack of secure containment for the penguin' was the reason for the 'dangerous situation', the South African Civil Aviation Authority said in the report, per The Telegraph. According to the outlet, the four-seat helicopter was carrying out an aerial survey of Bird Island. Related: Pilot Transporting Rescue Animals Dies in N.Y. Crash, but 2 Dogs Survive: 'Gained His Angel Wings' The BBC reported that the aircraft then landed to pick up a specialist who asked for the penguin to be taken back to Port Elizabeth, a city to the west of Bird Island. The report did not state why the penguin had been picked up, per the outlet. The aviation authority said the pilot conducted a "risk assessment,' but did not include the transportation of the penguin onboard, which "was not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to The Telegraph, the report stated that all 'established safety protocols' and aviation safety procedures should be adhered to during transportation. Officials also added that a thorough evaluation of the potential risks should have been carried out before the flight. 'The absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin's containment was not suitable for the flight conditions,' the report read, according to the outlet. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unsecured Penguin Causes Helicopter Crash After Hitting Pilot's Controls in Freak Accident
A penguin was reportedly the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa. According to the BBC and U.K. newspaper The Telegraph, a report by the South African Civil Aviation Authority stated that the unsecured bird, which had been put in a cardboard box, slipped off a passenger's lap and hit the pilot's controls on Jan. 19. The crash occurred just after take off from Bird Island in South Africa's Eastern Cape, per the BBC. According to NBC News, the helicopter was about 50 feet into the air when 'the cardboard box slid off to the right and onto the pilot's cyclic pitch control lever.' The helicopter then rolled before its rotor blades hit the ground and it crashed on its right side. PEOPLE has contacted the South African Civil Aviation Authority for comment. Related: 2 Dogs Find Homes After Surviving Plane Crash That Killed Rescue Flight Pilot Trying to Help Them According to NBC News, the report said, 'None of the occupants was injured; the penguin was also unharmed, 'The lack of secure containment for the penguin' was the reason for the 'dangerous situation', the South African Civil Aviation Authority said in the report, per The Telegraph. According to the outlet, the four-seat helicopter was carrying out an aerial survey of Bird Island. Related: Pilot Transporting Rescue Animals Dies in N.Y. Crash, but 2 Dogs Survive: 'Gained His Angel Wings' The BBC reported that the aircraft then landed to pick up a specialist who asked for the penguin to be taken back to Port Elizabeth, a city to the west of Bird Island. The report did not state why the penguin had been picked up, per the outlet. The aviation authority said the pilot conducted a "risk assessment,' but did not include the transportation of the penguin onboard, which "was not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to The Telegraph, the report stated that all 'established safety protocols' and aviation safety procedures should be adhered to during transportation. Officials also added that a thorough evaluation of the potential risks should have been carried out before the flight. 'The absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin's containment was not suitable for the flight conditions,' the report read, according to the outlet. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unsecured penguin caused helicopter crash in South Africa
An "unsecured" penguin in a cardboard box was the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa, a report into the incident has found. The penguin, which had been placed in the box and on the lap of a passenger, slid off and knocked the pilot's controls just after take-off from Bird Island off the Eastern Cape on 19 January. The South African Civil Aviation Authority said the impact sent the helicopter crashing to the ground. No-one on board, including the penguin, was hurt. The authority said that "the lack of secure containment for the penguin" was responsible for creating the "dangerous situation". According to the report, released this week, the flight had been conducting an aerial survey of the island in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province. After completing the survey, the helicopter landed, where a specialist then requested the transport of one penguin back to Port Elizabeth. The report did not say why they had picked up the penguin. The aviation authority said the pilot conducted a "risk assessment" but omitted to include the transport of the penguin on board which "was not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011". When the helicopter was about 15m (50 feet) above ground, the cardboard box slid off the lap of the specialist to the right and caused the cyclic pitch control lever to move to the far-right position causing the aircraft roll, the report determined. Unable to recover, the main rotor blades then struck the ground and the helicopter ultimately crashed on its starboard side approximately 20m from the point of lift-off. While the helicopter sustained substantial damage, both the pilot and passengers were uninjured and the penguin was unharmed. The report said all situations should be subject to "established safety protocols" and compliance with aviation safety procedures. It also said that a proper evaluation of the situation and potential hazards (such as cargo shifting) should have been conducted. "The absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin's containment was not suitable for the flight conditions," it said. Last-minute deal to protect African penguins from extinction
BBC News
10-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Unsecured penguin caused helicopter crash in South Africa
An "unsecured" penguin was the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa, a report into the incident has crash, which happened on 19 January on Bird Island off the Eastern Cape, happened after the bird, which had been placed in a cardboard box and on the lap of a passenger, slid off and knocked the pilot's controls just after South African Civil Aviation Authority said the impact sent the helicopter crashing back to the ground. No-one on board, including the penguin, was hurt. The authority said that "the lack of secure containment for the penguin" was responsible for creating the "dangerous situation". According to the report, released this week, the flight had been conducting an aerial survey of the island in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape completing the survey, the helicopter landed, where a specialist then requested the transport of one penguin back to Port report did not say why they had picked up the aviation authority said the pilot conducted a "risk assessment" but omitted to include the transport of the penguin on board which "was not in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011".When the helicopter was about 15m (50 feet) above ground, the cardboard box slid off the lap of the specialist to the right and caused the cyclic pitch control lever to move to the far-right position causing the aircraft roll, the report to recover, the main rotor blades then struck the ground and the helicopter ultimately crashed on its starboard side approximately 20m from the point of the helicopter sustained substantial damage, both the pilot and passengers were uninjured and the penguin was report said all situations should be subject to "established safety protocols" and compliance with aviation safety procedures. It also said that a proper evaluation of the situation and potential hazards (such as cargo shifting) should have been conducted."The absence of a proper, secured crate meant that the penguin's containment was not suitable for the flight conditions," it said.
