Accidents, whether involving trains or that in the aviation sector is nothing new in the country. Although in each case there lies a thin line of difference which sparks off the debate between 'pure accident' and 'negligence-induced accident', it's hard to ignore that the latter aspect has played a major role in a sizable number of cases, if not all. Last Friday’s mishap at Karipur International Airport in Kozhikode has also set into motion the debate once more and so far that has emerged, there is a clear hint that negligence of airport safety norms has played an important part. While the investigation is currently on to arrive at the precise causes of the tragedy, the death of at least 18 persons as of now including two pilots of the ill-fated plane has brought into fore the fact that there were warnings earlier that the runway is unsafe for landing, especially under conditions of heavy rainfall. For reasons whatever they are, the caveat has gone unheard and it is unfortunate that deaths and injuries of this magnitude have had to take place just to underline the drawback for one more time.

The first thing that has stolen the attention of aviation experts is a vital technical aspect which is shortness of the runway vis-à-vis the volume of air traffic and torrential rains which is an yearly monsoon hazard there. It has transpired that the plan to extend the 2750-m Runway 10 of the airport by another 800 m was a long pending one despite pressing demands. It was as early as 2011 when aviation experts raised the red flag underlying the risk factors. But since no accidents have occurred in the meantime, the warning was pushed into oblivion. It was entirely the grace of providence that no fire had followed the mishap which led to the breakage of the aircraft into two parts. Had it been so, all the 190 people on board would have perished instantly. The question that will be now unavoidable is how many of such airports are there in the civil aviation map of the country that urgently needs technical overhaul. It would be welcomed if such fact-findings are initiated at the earliest and counter measures are taken. The words ‘tabletop airport runway’ have been featuring in all discussions on this mishap and it is apparent that there are by and large reservations on the issue. Since it is a highly technical subject, it would be better if a body of technical experts are entrusted to find out the overall viability and safety parameters.

The mishap and its findings, however, must also serve as technical inputs for Arunachal, now engaged in building its much-cherished airport. But, in any case, it can be said that the tragedy was an avoidable one.