Incidents of Misidentification and Shootdowns
1983: Korean Airlines flight 007 shot down by Russia due to navigational error, killing all 269 onboard.
1988: Iran Air flight 655 shot down by U.S. Navy, misidentified as a fighter jet, killing 290.
2003: DHL Cargo plane hit by missile in Baghdad, crew managed a safe landing despite damage.
2019: India’s Mi-17 helicopter mistakenly shot down by IAF during a dogfight, killing six.
2014: MH17 shot down by Russian-backed forces over Ukraine, killing 298.
All cases highlight risks of misidentification in conflict zones.
Flight Safety and Procedures
Post-9/11, specific procedures are in place for deviation from flight paths, including radio communication to prevent interception.
2017: Jet Airways flight 9W 118 almost shot down by German Air Force for failing to maintain communication; miscommunication deemed a "malfunction."
9/11 refers to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The attacks were carried out by al-Qaeda, an Islamic extremist group
Civilian aircraft could be targeted if their flight path appears suspicious or if they don't follow radio procedures.
Dangers in Conflict Zones
Conflicts in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and South Asia increase risks for civilian aircraft, especially with military forces misidentifying planes.
2024: Azerbaijani airliner shot down by Russian anti-aircraft defense after veering off course in fog.
GPS spoofing and loss of navigation signals also pose serious risks to aircraft safety in these zones.
Over 500 people have died in such incidents due to misidentification or hostile actions.
Indian Aviation Safety Concerns
India faces challenges with GPS errors, especially over Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
DGCA has been criticized for not addressing the lack of pilot proficiency and inadequate training for dealing with navigation issues or emergency situations.
India’s rapid airline expansion may outpace safety measures, with reports of Indian flights using routes avoided by other countries (e.g., Air India flights to the U.S. west coast).
There is little transparency or action from DGCA on these issues, putting India’s aviation safety at risk in conflict-prone regions.
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