The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday (September 21) suspended the Chief of Flight Safety at Air India for one month for certain lapses. The development comes after the aviation watchdog found lapses in the accident prevention work carried out by the airline.
DGCA officials conducted surveillance of Tata Group-owned Air India on July 25 and 26 in the areas of internal audit, accident prevention work and availability of required technical manpower.
According to a statement issued by DGCA, these checks were carried out in line with the flight safety manual and requirements of civil aviation.
“Further it was observed that some of the internal audit/spot checks claimed to be carried out by the airline were done in a perfunctory manner and not as per the regulatory requirements. DGCA, after reviewing the action taken report submitted by the airline, issued show cause notices to the concerned post holders,” the DGCA said in a statement.
Suspension of Flight Safety Chief for one month
The surveillance found deficiencies in the availability of the requisite technical manpower as required as per the Flight Safety Manual and Civil Aviation Requirements, said DGCA.
“The approval of Chief of Flight Safety of Air India has been suspended for a period of one month for the lapses established,” it announced.