The Nepali aviation regulator, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made drastic changes to existing flight rules and permits, in attempt to prevent another crash in the country. CAAN mandates that all flights following the visual flight rules (VFR) to be flown only if the weather is clear all the way between take-off airport and landing airport.
Previously, weather conditions were considered only at take-off airport and landing airport, but not for the route in between. But the recent crash of Tara Air has made the Nepali regulator realize that existing rules are not sufficient to maintain safe flights.
Based on the new rules by CAAN, Pilot in command will no longer decide on the feasibility of the flights. The decision regarding the weather in the flight route will be decided only at the airport, as explained by CAAN deputy director-general
In light of the tragedy, CAAN has stated that its new guidelines will have to be followed by all flights following the visual flight rules (VFR) strictly. While submitting the flight plan, the airlines will be required to submit weather forecasting information acquired from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology regarding the weather of the flight destination and en route.
Nepal has witnessed several tragic accidents over the years, mainly due to its tricky weather and topography. Sunday's crash was the second such incident in six years involving Tara Air. In 2016, 23 passengers died when a Tara Air Twin Otter aircraft was performing the same flight as yesterday's from Pokhara to Jomson and crashed into the mountains.
Hopefully, the revised rules will help prevent another similar tragedy.
By Aero News Journal