§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many icefall incidents were reported for each month in 2000; [148838]
(2) what bacteriological investigations are required when ice falls from aircraft occur; [148840]
(3) what plans he has to introduce fines for airlines which operate aircraft which show signs of leakage from toilet service valves; [148837]
(4) what arrangements have been made to compensate persons injured from ice falls where the airline concerned cannot be identified. [148839]
Mr. Robert AinsworthI refer the hon. Member to my predecessor's reply on 23 November 2000,Official Report, column 287W.
The Secretary of State has no plans to introduce fines for airlines operating aircraft that show signs of defects in toilet service valves. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued guidance on checking aircraft water systems, but this only applies to UK operators and aircraft. Operators are instructed to carry out a regular review of their servicing procedures and scheduled maintenance requirements for such systems. The CAA also reminds 461W operators of the requirement to initiate corrective action as soon as a defect on a sealing system is detected. Aircraft are regularly checked by the CAA in the UK and by other regulating bodies abroad for evidence of leaking systems. Responsibility for the safety of foreign aircraft however, rests with the respective State of Registry.
The details of all reported icefall incidents in the UK are included on the Civil Aviation Authority's Mandatory Occurrence Reporting System (MORS). The MORS database shows that a total of 39 incidents were recorded in the year 2000. A monthly breakdown is shown:
Month Number January 6 February 7 March 2 April 5 May 3 June 7 July 2 August 2 September 2 October 1 November 0 December 2 The CAA will investigate any icefall incident reported to them in sufficient detail to allow a probable identification of the source of the ice. However, this is not an easy process and it is extremely rare to be able to confirm the origin of an icefall. Where the source of an icefall can be identified then the operator, regardless of nationality, can be prosecuted under the Air Navigation Order. In such a situation, a person suffering loss or injury resulting from the icefall could also seek damages through a civil action under the Civil Aviation Act 1982. This course of action is only available where the offending aircraft can be identified.
Given the nature of icefall incidents, it is also extremely difficult for either the Government or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to carry out a bacteriological investigation, and there is no current requirement to do so. In many cases the ice melts or disperses within a relatively short period after the time of the incident.