DGCA opens probe into SpiceJet landing gear defect incidents

Aviation regulator DGCA has launched its probe into a series of incidents involving budget carrier SpiceJet's two Bombardier Q400 planes that took place due to some defect in the landing gear of the turboprop aircraft.
Separately, the Gurgaon-based airline has also taken up the issue with the original equipment maker, Bombardier, in this regard, a senior DGCA official said today.
The incidents of one of the two nose wheel tyres deflating immediately after landing occurred in a short span of six days, with the latest one reported by the airline on November 1, the official said.
"We are probing this. The airline has also taken up this issue with Bombardier," the official said, adding that this happened twice on one aircraft.

When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the carrier has taken all "precautionary" measures on its entire Q400 fleet in the wake of the incidents.
"In the last five years no such incident has taken place. Coincidentally, these three instances have come to our notice. We have taken all precautionary measures on our entire Bombardier Q400 fleet. Passengers' safety is paramount to SpiceJet," SpiceJet corporate affairs' vertical head Ajay Jasra said.
Country's second largest budget carrier after IndiGo, SpiceJet at present operates 324 flights per day including international ones from 39 domestic and nine overseas airports.
It has a fleet of 47 aircraft comprising 39 Boeing 737s and rest 16 Bombardier Q400s.