DGCA Takes Action Against Air India Over Emergency Slide Oversight

Quick Summary

• grounded Aircraft and Enforcement: The DGCA identified overdue emergency slide inspections in an air India aircraft during a recent audit. the aircraft was immediately grounded until rectified. Enforcement action against Air India and responsible personnel has started under DGCA’s enforcement manual.
• Safety Oversight Failure Inquiry: DMK MP Tiruchi siva raised concerns about safety violations linked to the crash of AI 171 in June, which killed 260 people. Specific details on the audit timeline or enforcement initiation have not been disclosed.
• Helicopter Accidents Over Five Years: Twelve scheduled helicopter accidents have occurred in India over five years, leading to 30 fatalities, with seven incidents reported in Uttarakhand.
• DGCA Measures for Helicopter safety: Enhanced surveillance and audits are underway for helicopter operations such as the Chardham Yatra. Improvements focus on pilot training, SOP adherence, parking arrangements, slot regulation, and access control.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The DGCA’s immediate response of grounding an Air India aircraft highlights its commitment to enforcing safety norms but also raises questions about regulatory oversight lapses prior to systemic failures like the AI 171 crash. Initiating legal actions against responsible entities is necessary but addressing broader accountability within DGCA could strengthen public trust.

Helicopter operations remain a persistent concern given recurring accidents and fatalities-especially in challenging terrains like Uttarakhand during pilgrimages such as Chardham Yatra. Government-backed enhanced safety checks indicate steps toward proactive measures; however, consistency in implementation will be imperative.

The civil aviation industry’s focus on stricter compliance measures seems both urgent and overdue considering recent incidents that challenge India’s growing aviation footprint globally.

—
Read more: Source