DGCA to audit pilot training in Jet Airways

Probe ordered after Boeing 777 dropped 5,000 ft without pilots noticing; both taken off flight duties

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an audit of pilots' training in Jet Airways. And, directed the de-rostering of two pilots who failed to notice a 5,000 ft altitude change when their Boeing 777 was in Turkey last week.

The incident took place on the airline's Mumbai-Brussels flight and the regulator will probe whether the autopilot tripped or was inadvertently turned off, resulting in the sudden drop in altitude. The flight is operated with two cockpit crew. On Wednesday, DGCA questioned the pilots about the incident.

The captain said he was taking a nap while the co pilot claimed she was reading a tablet. DGCA allows pilots to take "controlled rest" inside the cockpit and has laid down procedures in this regard. "The autopilot might have disengaged or got turned off inadvertently,'' a Jet Airways source said. Whenever an autopilot switches off or whenever an aircraft climbs or descends 300 ft from the previously selected altitude, a warning beep gets activated and the regulator will have to find why the pilots did not react. This beep gets activated for both controlled and uncontrolled altitude changes.

According to aviation sources, pilots are allowed to change the selected altitude only after clearance from  air traffic control. Since the flight had dropped 5,000 feet without notification, controllers in Turkey radioed the pilots and asked them to make a correction.

"DGCA has viewed the descent of the flight by almost 5,000 ft over Turkey as a serious incident. Both the pilots have been taken off the roster, pending the inquiry. DGCA has appointed a three-member team to do a training audit of Jet Airways to find out whether there are any shortcomings. The team has been asked to submit its report by August 31. Additionally, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has been asked to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, which would take four to five months,'' the civil aviation ministry stated.

Jet said it had instituted an internal inquiry and was cooperating with DGCA by providing all necessary assistance.