After Mangalore crash, DGCA reviews AI Express functioning

In the wake of the Mangalore aircrash, aviation regulator DGCA has reviewed the compliance by Air India Express of rules and procedures relating to various key areas like operational safety, maintenance of aircraft and security.

An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft had overshot the runway and crashed into a ravine on May 22, killing 158 people on board.

The review was carried out at a meeting last week by top officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, including its chief Nasim Zaidi, and the airline. The areas covered included operations, maintenance, safety, security and commercial, an airline official said.

During the meeting, DGCA asked the national carrier to resolve issues like positioning of officers in operations, safety and training areas, putting pilots on the regular roll of Air India Express, flight dispatch, crew rostering and monitoring of their Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).

Other issues discussed at the meeting included requirement for more mechanics, internal auditors and pre-flight medical checks.

Claiming that Air India Express management has already acted upon the advices, an airline spokesperson said the steps included issuance of an office order for appointment of the Chief of Operations, deputation of pilots for a period of five years and deployment of trainee pilots who are undergoing training on Boeing 737s operated by the airline.

The entire gamut of steps taken ranged from computerisation and automation of crew rostering system and FDTL monitoring, implementation of regulations related to pre-flight medical, recruitment of additional mechanics from defence services, the spokesperson said.

He said that a Memorandum of Understanding already exists between NACIL and Air India Express regarding Flight Dispatch, Ramp and Traffic Handling.

Further, the Chief Operating Officer, National Aviation Company of India Limited (which runs Air India and Air India Express) would soon issue Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including strict compliance with training schedules on monsoon.

The SOPs would also include regulations on special precautions during take-offs and landings, optimal use of First Officers, strict implementation of regulations on simulation of unsafe situation during training, strict adherence to approach parameters and Voluntary safety reporting system, the spokesperson added.