“Air India’s Chief of Flight Safety Suspended by DGCA Over Accident Prevention Lapses”
The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended Air India’s Chief of Flight Safety for a month following an inspection that uncovered deficiencies in the airline’s accident prevention measures. The action underscores the DGCA’s commitment to ensuring passenger safety and maintenance standards in the wake of multiple flight-related incidents.
Air India’s Chief of Flight Safety has been suspended for one month by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in response to lapses discovered during an inspection of the airline’s accident prevention protocol.
The DGCA conducted a surveillance operation on July 25-26, focusing on Air India’s internal audit, accident prevention practices, and the availability of technical manpower. Air India, which operates a fleet of 121 aircraft, faced scrutiny as deficiencies were identified in its accident prevention efforts and the presence of the required technical personnel, as stipulated in the approved Flight Safety Manual and relevant Civil Aviation Requirements.
The DGCA’s findings also revealed that some of Air India’s internal audits and spot checks had been carried out in a perfunctory manner, failing to meet regulatory requirements.
Following a review of the airline’s response to the inspection, the DGCA issued showcause notices to the responsible personnel. As a result, Air India has been directed not to assign audits, surveillance, or spot checks related to DGCA compliance to the specific auditor responsible for the substandard inspections, indicating a lack of diligence.
Furthermore, the DGCA has suspended the approval of Chief of Flight Safety at Air India for a period of one month due to the established lapses.
This decision comes approximately a month after media reports highlighted lapses in Air India’s internal safety audits, prompting the DGCA to take action. At the time, Air India had emphasized its commitment to actively engaging in such audits to continually assess and strengthen its operational processes.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had previously emphasized that passenger safety was a top priority for the DGCA, with no room for compromise on this front. The stringent measures taken by the DGCA underscore its commitment to ensuring flight safety and maintenance standards, particularly in the wake of multiple flight-related incidents that have raised concerns regarding aviation safety in India.
Sources By Agencies
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