Evaluating the significance of deoxyribonucleic acid to identify fatal aircraft accidents victims in the Woonderboom Airport Airspace, Pretoria

Abstract

The identification of victims in fatal aircraft accidents is a complex and challenging process. The airport airspace safety and security measures also play a significant role in the aviation industry nowadays. It is in that regard that, this study sought to evaluate the significance of DNA analysis in identifying victims of fatal aircraft accidents in the Wonderboom Airspace to improve measures and techniques that are currently used in the South African Civil Aviation Authority Airspace. This study applied the qualitative research design approach with exploratory and descriptive elements for the purpose of enhancing the data gathering and data analysis processes and procedures respectively. The study population consisted of South African Civil Aviation investigators and Air Traffic Controllers. Primary data was collected at South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) through semi-structured interviews with the purposively sampled participants after due ethical protocols were followed. A four-step spiral data analysis method was applied manually to generate themes from the findings. The study results highlighted the importance of DNA analysis in identifying victims of civil aviation accidents, particularly in cases where traditional identification methods are insufficient. These results also accentuate the fact that most of the fatal aircraft accidents within Wonderboom airspace involve small planes carrying 2 (two) to 4 (four) people, and that DNA identification was successful in identifying 90% of the victims, compared to 60% using traditional methods and biometrics. Moreover, the National Services (NTS) within the air traffic industry were experiencing critical skills shortages particularly in air traffic control and technical expertise. Amongst some of its recommendations, the study proposes the provision of specialised training programmes to augment the number of aviation investigators and expertise to address the current shortage of less than 15 experts which include 2 senior managers.