SHAH ALAM - Despite significant advancements in aviation technology and safety measures, former Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (DCA) director, Datuk Yahaya Abdul Rahman has acknowledged that accidents, especially those involving small aircraft, continue to occur.
The former DCA top man which is now known as the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) emphasised that human error remains the leading cause of many aviation incidents, stressing the importance of constant vigilance and improved training.
Speaking about the ongoing challenges in aviation safety, Yahaya revealed that during his tenure, Malaysia experienced at least three to five accidents annually, most of which involved smaller helicopters and planes.
"As long as we are flying in the sky, accidents are inevitable.
"Human factors account for approximately 70 to 75 per cent of these incidents, with the crew often being the primary cause.
"Many accidents result from errors made by pilots, which can ultimately lead to crashes," he said in a recent exclusive interview for Sinar Daily’s Fireside Chat.
While acknowledging that accidents are an unfortunate reality, Yahaya stressed that the key is to identify and address weaknesses in the system proactively.
Yahaya, who also served as the former Air Accident Investigation Bureau Head at the Transport Ministry, pointed to weather-related incidents as a recurring issue.
He highlighted that accidents are more likely when pilots fly into adverse weather conditions without being adequately prepared.
"For instance, if an aircraft is not equipped for instrument flying and the pilot lacks the necessary qualifications to navigate such conditions, they may end up flying into dangerous weather, essentially entering a state of darkness," he said.
He added that while basic instruments are available, they often don't provide sufficient assistance in severe weather situations.
Although experienced pilots typically avoid thunderstorms or heavy rain, Yahaya stated that sometimes such conditions are unavoidable.
In these situations, he stressed the autopilot can assist, but the pilot must remain alert and intervene if the situation worsens.
Severe turbulence, which is usually predictable is another challenge. Pilots must actively monitor weather forecasts and radar to anticipate and manage turbulence.
Yahaya further emphasised that an aircraft's radar is crucial in detecting severe turbulence, allowing pilots to adjust the flight path accordingly.
He also pointed out that climate change adds unpredictability to aviation, as weather patterns become more difficult to predict and control.
"Pilots must be prepared for these changes, adjusting their flight plans based on weather forecasts.
"For example, if turbulence is expected, pilots should choose an altitude that minimises its impact," Yahaya said.
He also highlighted an issue that can arise when pilots fail to properly adjust the brightness of the weather radar.
"Sometimes, pilots reduce the radar's brightness to avoid glare, but this can cause them to miss crucial changes in weather patterns.
"In one case, an airline discovered this issue when a pilot admitted to not adjusting the radar properly. The issue was subsequently addressed in their training programme," he said.
By simulating such scenarios during training, Yahaya said instructors could assess whether pilots are able to detect and correct such errors, thereby raising awareness about these often-overlooked details.
Though these issues may seem basic, Yahaya warned that they can easily be overlooked when pilots are exposed to them on a daily basis.
Continuous training and awareness, he concluded, are essential in preventing accidents caused by human error.