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Air India's 'Regrettable' Flight: How an Unairworthy A320 Flew 8 Times

Air India has landed in hot water after one of its planes flew without proper certification. The airline admitted an Airbus A320 operated at least eight times last month with an expired airworthiness licence. They've called the incident "regrettable" and suspended staff while the DGCA investigates. This serious safety lapse comes months after the tragic crash of another Air India flight.

Key Points: Air India A320 Flew Without Airworthiness Certificate Amid DGCA Probe

  • An Air India Airbus A320 operated eight times with an expired airworthiness certificate
  • The aircraft is now grounded pending a full investigation by the DGCA
  • Air India has suspended personnel and launched an internal probe
  • Operating without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness is a serious aviation offence
2 min read

Air India flew Airbus A320 plane not airworthy, says incident 'regrettable' amid DGCA probe

Air India calls flying an Airbus A320 without a valid airworthiness certificate "regrettable" as the DGCA investigates the serious safety lapse.

Air India flew Airbus A320 plane not airworthy, says incident 'regrettable' amid DGCA probe
"an incident involving one of our aircraft operating without an airworthiness review certificate is regrettable - Air India statement"

New Delhi, Dec 2

After the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation into an Air India aircraft that was not airworthy but still flew at least eight times before it was grounded, the airline on Tuesday said the incident was “regrettable” and it has initiated a comprehensive internal investigation.

The Airbus A320 in question was operated with an “expired airworthiness licence” at least eight times last month before the lapse was discovered and the aircraft was grounded. The A320 remains grounded pending DGCA investigation.

The Certificate of Airworthiness is issued by the DGCA, and is renewed every year only if the aircraft in a safe condition for flight.

According to aviation officials, operating an aircraft without valid licences and certificates is considered a serious offence.

Air India said in a statement that “an incident involving one of our aircraft operating without an airworthiness review certificate is 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. We have initiated a comprehensive internal investigation and are fully cooperating with the regulator,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline further said that “it remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and safety, and any deviation from mandated compliance protocols is treated with utmost seriousness and is unacceptable to the organisation”.

Earlier this year, Air India Flight 171 en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12. Of the 12 crew members and 229 passengers on board, only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people were killed, and 67 others were seriously injured.

According to the airline, 95 per cent of the families of the 171 Dreamliner, which crashed just minutes after take-off in Ahmedabad, have received interim compensation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a frequent flyer, this news is terrifying. 😨 We trust airlines with our lives. The DGCA probe must be thorough and transparent. Suspending personnel is the first step, but what about the management oversight? The timing after the Ahmedabad crash makes this even more concerning.
R
Rohit P
While this is a serious lapse, I appreciate that Air India reported it to DGCA themselves and suspended the involved personnel. The internal investigation is crucial. Let's wait for the full report before jumping to conclusions. Safety should always be paramount.
S
Sarah B
This highlights a major procedural gap. How does an airline's system allow a plane to fly 8 times without a valid airworthiness certificate? It's not just about punishing individuals, but fixing the process. Automation and digital alerts for such critical renewals are a must.
V
Vikram M
Yaar, this is so careless! After the tragic Ahmedabad crash, you'd think extra precautions would be in place. My family travels by Air India often. This kind of news shakes our confidence. The "highest standards" they talk about need to be proven, not just stated in press releases.
K
Karthik V
The DGCA needs to conduct surprise audits across all airlines, not just Air India. This might not be an isolated incident. Passenger safety is non-negotiable. Hope the investigation leads to stronger regulations and better compliance culture in our aviation sector.

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