Could AI Hold the Key to Preventing Near Misses in Aviation?

Quick Summary

• On July 20, SkyWest Flight 3788 narrowly avoided a collision with a military B-52 bomber while approaching Minot International Airport in North Dakota.
• The pilot of the SkyWest flight performed an extreme maneuver to prevent the collision and later apologized to passengers for the aggressive turn. A passenger’s video confirmed the pilot’s account.
• Air traffic controllers had instructed the SkyWest plane to turn right, but lacking radar at this small airport, they relied on visual observation of aircraft movements.
• Minot Air Force base nearby uses radar systems, yet it did not provide any warning regarding the bomber’s flight path.
• This follows another incident six months prior when a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger plane near Washington D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities.
• Scientific American raises questions about integrating artificial intelligence into air traffic control (ATC) systems for better safety, highlighting ongoing concerns over human workload in ATC operations and potential risks associated with full automation.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The SkyWest near-miss underscores pressing issues affecting aviation safety worldwide, including outdated infrastructure at smaller airports and reliance on manual observation for critical decisions during flights. India can draw vital lessons from this incident as it continues expanding its domestic aviation sector amid rising passenger demand. Ensuring robust coordination between commercial and defense aviation stakeholders-notably at airports adjacent to military bases-should be prioritized to avoid similar risks.

Additionally, india’s consideration of advanced technologies like AI in ATC systems will require carefully balanced strategies that address both operational efficiency gains and cybersecurity risks noted globally by experts while avoiding over-dependence on automation during emergencies were human judgment is irreplaceable.

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