In the Dec 6, 2005 post cited in my previous message on this subject there is the following exchange between me and a goanet worthy. Me: <It would be helpful if we had some factual information (brief) about this and other accidents/incidents at Dabolim. It would enable us to argue more effectively for the suspension of training flights in particular at Dabolim. These are not only slot consuming activites but also dangerous as the accidents highlight. Besides, the Goa environment may not be conducive for serious trainng activities involving high performance machines. The Navy should realise its mistake and move out sensibly from Dabolim. Else the same problem will recur with the new MIG-29Ks!>
The reply: < Maybe it has nothing to do with the location of Dabolim, but more to do with the choice of the Sea Harriers as a suitable aircraft costing billions of rupees.> >From learning in the intervening period I would say that, for Goa, the location at Dabolim is primary while the cost of the planes to the national exchequer is secondary. However I now realise that, of the two broad factors involved in plane crashes (pilot error and technical snags), the Navy is never going to put the onus on pilot error. This would reflect adversely on the flight training program at Dabolim and lead to calls for its closure. As for technical snags one can spend all the time trying to pinpoint blame between MRO at Kochi, mid-life upgrade at HAL and perhaps some last minute tinkering at Dabolim itself. Ultimately one can blame it on the plane's technology (which however the Navy had over 2 decades to master). How to get to the bottom of the Dabolim flight training conundrum?