DGCA Issues Show Cause Notice To Air India Pilots Over Safety Lapses, Seeks Reply
The DGCA has issued a show cause notice to Air India cockpit crew on December 29 for operating Delhi-Tokyo flights despite being aware of serious safety and compliance lapses, particularly MEL violations involving Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANI. The regulator has given pilots two weeks to respond and explain why action should not be taken under Aircraft Rules, highlighting this as part of a pattern of similar violations on other sectors.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to Air India cockpit crew for operating multiple flights between Delhi and Tokyo despite being aware of serious safety and compliance lapses. The aviation regulator has sought an explanation from the pilots within two weeks regarding their operational decisions and compliance protocols.
The notice, issued on December 29, specifically targets the cockpit crew for operating flights despite knowledge of repetitive technical snags and existing system degradations. This regulatory action raises significant questions about the airline's safety protocols and flight crew decision-making processes.
Regulatory Action Details
The DGCA notice pertains to several operations of flight AI-357 from Delhi to Tokyo and AI-358 from Tokyo to Delhi, along with previous concerns about flights AI-258 and AI-357. The regulator has highlighted that the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) applicable to the aircraft was incompatible, creating serious safety compliance issues.
| Flight Details: | Information |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Model: | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner |
| Aircraft Registration: | VT-ANI |
| Affected Flights: | AI-357, AI-358, AI-258 |
| Route: | Delhi-Tokyo |
| Notice Date: | December 29 |
| Response Deadline: | Two weeks |
Safety Compliance Violations
The show-cause notice emphasizes non-compliance with the Minimum Equipment List for flights operated, including a specific violation on June 28. According to the DGCA, this was not an isolated incident, with similar issues detected on other sectors in the past. The regulator has determined that aircraft were operated despite prior knowledge of repeated snags and MEL incompatibility.
The DGCA has specifically flagged safety concerns related to three critical areas: aircraft dispatch procedures, MEL compliance standards, and flight crew decision-making during operations. These concerns indicate potential systemic issues in Air India's operational oversight and pilot protocols.
Legal Implications
The DGCA has asked the pilots to explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). This escalation suggests the regulator views the violations as serious breaches of aviation safety standards that could warrant disciplinary action against the flight crew.
The aviation watchdog's intervention highlights the seriousness of operating aircraft with known technical issues, particularly on international routes where passenger safety and regulatory compliance are paramount. The focus on individual pilot accountability marks a significant step in the regulatory response.
Current Status
Air India has not provided any comment regarding the show-cause notice or the specific allegations raised against its cockpit crew. The current operational status of the affected flights and aircraft VT-ANI remains unclear, with no immediate confirmation whether operations have been modified pending resolution of the regulatory concerns.
The DGCA's action underscores the regulator's commitment to maintaining aviation safety standards and ensuring both airlines and individual crew members comply with established operational protocols, particularly regarding aircraft with known technical deficiencies.
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