Runway survellance
Is it now time to install a high quality CCTV system which records each and every departure at major airports. Such unambiguous evidence would surely permit in some cases, the AAIB teams to reach important conclusions very quickly and set in motion remedial action to enhance safety.
Absolutely ! When I was last at Barajas the same thought occurred to me. There are many parts of the airfield that are out of sight from the tower. Trouble is you'd need a lot of cameras.
Still, I agree with what you suggest - although bean-counters will (as ever) say - how many crashes occur ? How many times would camera produce useful results ?
Location is always a problem. Remember the Britannia 757 crash at GRN a few years ago ? Admitedly at night and in a severe thunderstorm, but it took over an hour to locate the aircraft, which was so near the terminal building that some survivors had already arrived there on foot.
R