Air India, owned by the Tata Group, is under intense scrutiny from the aviation regulator after it was revealed that one of its aircraft operated multiple flights without a valid airworthiness certificate. The airline has grounded the plane and suspended personnel involved, initiating a comprehensive internal investigation.
Details of the Safety Violation
According to a report by The Economic Times, a 164-seat Airbus A320 aircraft operated by Air India flew on eight separate sectors on November 24 and 25 despite its Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) having expired. The lapse was identified by an engineer, following which the aircraft was immediately taken out of service.
In a statement to Mint, an Air India spokesperson termed the incident as regrettable. "As soon as this came to our notice, it was duly reported to the DGCA, and all personnel associated with the decision have been placed under suspension, pending further review," the spokesperson said. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety and stated that any deviation from compliance protocols is treated with utmost seriousness.
DGCA Launches Investigation and Grounds Aircraft
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed on Tuesday that it was notified about the aircraft operating on an expired ARC. "An investigation is underway, and the aircraft has been grounded," the regulator stated. The DGCA has instructed the operator to ground the aircraft and has de-rostered the concerned personnel with immediate effect.
The agency further said, "Air India, on the instructions of DGCA, is carrying out an internal investigation to identify deficiencies in their system and put corrective measures in place." The incident is likely to be classified as a Level 1 violation, indicating a serious safety concern. This marks another operational error for the airline, coming months after the tragic Air India Express crash in Ahmedabad in June that claimed 260 lives.
Potential Repercussions and Past Issues
This serious violation could lead to substantial trouble for Air India. Operating an aircraft without a valid certificate is illegal and poses grave safety risks. A government official told the news portal that "this is a serious violation and not expected from a mainline carrier like Air India." The report also highlighted that such an action could invalidate insurance coverage and cause issues with aircraft lessors.
This is not the first time Air India has faced regulatory action over compliance issues. Earlier, the airline's top officials, including CEO Campbell Wilson, received show-cause notices for operating aircraft components that had exceeded their lifespan. Some months ago, the regulator also suspended the head of the airline's engineering quality department.
What is an Airworthiness Certificate? It is a crucial document issued by the DGCA, certifying that an aircraft is safe to fly. It must be renewed annually after the aircraft passes all mandatory maintenance and safety inspections. Flying without it is a major breach of aviation law.
