'Strong Argument' for Video in Cockpit: IATA Chief — New India Abroad

 

There is a “strong argument” for installing video cameras in airline cockpits to enhance accident investigations, according to Willie Walsh, Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Speaking on July 16, Walsh addressed the aftermath of the June 12 Air India crash, emphasizing how cockpit video footage could prove crucial in understanding aviation disasters more clearly.

The statement follows a preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 12, which revealed that the plane’s engine fuel switches had been turned off—yet neither pilot claimed responsibility. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, along with 19 individuals on the ground, leaving only one survivor.

Walsh, a former commercial airline pilot himself, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue. “I understand the reluctance of pilots,” he said, “but on a personal basis, I can see that there is a strong argument for the inclusion of video in the cockpit to assist in accident investigations.”

Currently, flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders are standard, but Walsh pointed out that visual evidence could significantly improve clarity. “A video recording, in addition to the voice recording, would significantly assist the investigators,” he noted.

When asked whether IATA would advocate cockpit redesigns to prevent accidental fuel switch offs, Walsh stressed the need to await the final investigation findings before making recommendations. “It’s important we don’t speculate,” he stated.

Published by New India Abroad, this development has stirred global aviation discussions. As the industry grapples with the balance between safety and pilot privacy, Walsh’s remarks add weight to the growing call for video surveillance in cockpits, a move that could redefine aviation safety protocols in the years to come.