Air India: Chief of Flight Safety Suspended by DGCA Over Safety Deficiencies

In a notable turn of events, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a decisive step by suspending the Chief of Flight Safety at Tata-owned Air India for a period of one month.

This suspension arises from a comprehensive DGCA investigation that has uncovered significant shortcomings in the airline’s accident prevention measures.

The DGCA carried out a meticulous review of Air India’s operations during the dates of July 25th and 26th, 2023. They delved into critical aspects such as internal auditing procedures, accident prevention protocols, and the availability of essential technical staff, all in accordance with Indian aviation regulations.

As a result of this investigation, Air India has been directed not to assign any audits, surveillance tasks, or spot checks related to DGCA compliance to the specific auditor responsible for the subpar inspections. This action underscores a notable lapse in diligence on their part.

The DGCA’s surveillance uncovered serious deficiencies in Air India’s accident prevention efforts. Additionally, there was a shortfall in the availability of the necessary technical personnel, as stipulated in the approved Flight Safety Manual and relevant Civil Aviation Requirements.

Moreover, the DGCA observed that some of the internal audits and spot checks purportedly conducted by the airline were executed in a perfunctory manner, falling short of the stringent regulatory standards in place.

In response to these findings, Air India submitted a report detailing the actions taken for DGCA’s review, leading the regulator to issue show cause notices to individuals involved in the lapses. Following a thorough evaluation of all pertinent factors, the DGCA concluded that action against the Chief of Flight Safety Officer was warranted.

This recent suspension follows a previous incident in August when the civil aviation regulator temporarily suspended the approval of Air India’s Boeing simulator training facility due to specific deficiencies. However, it’s noteworthy that the DGCA subsequently reinstated approval for the airline’s simulator facilities, providing a 30-day probationary period for the implementation of corrective measures.