Air India Faces Safety Concerns and Scrutiny

Air India: Alarming Events Shadow Airline's Safety Practice

Barely two days after a severe air disaster, a new alarming incident occurred involving an Air India flight: this time, a plane heading to Vienna nearly plummeted 900 feet shortly after takeoff, triggering serious warnings from the aircraft's onboard systems. The June 14 incident, along with the prior fatal accident, has led the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the airline's operations.

Dramatic Descent After Takeoff

Flight AI-187, operating between Delhi and Vienna with a Boeing 777 aircraft, took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport on the early morning of June 14. Just a few minutes after takeoff, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, descending nearly 900 feet, setting off automatic emergency warnings, including repeated "Don't sink" alerts.

According to the airline, the pilots responded immediately, stabilized the aircraft, and completed the remainder of the journey safely. The plane eventually landed in Vienna after nine hours and eight minutes of flight. Despite the safe landing, the two pilots were immediately removed from duty until the official investigation concludes.

In the Shadow of a Severe Accident

The descent shortly after takeoff raised particular concern because it occurred less than two days after a tragic accident involving another Air India flight. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad, with 242 people aboard. The tragedy resulted in approximately 270 fatalities and shook the entire nation.

The close timing of these events has drawn attention to the overall safety of Air India's operations. Since then, the DGCA has initiated an extensive probe into the airline's maintenance and operational practices.

Examinations and Audits: Worrying Findings

A DGCA-conducted internal audit uncovered several issues. The report indicates that the maintenance of Air India's aircraft was not always adequate, and numerous reported defects weren't addressed thoroughly. This is a particularly grave finding in an industry where even the smallest oversight can have catastrophic consequences.

In recent weeks, several Air India flights have had to be canceled or modified due to technical issues. These recurring problems suggest that maintenance standards and inspection protocols for the entire fleet need reevaluation.

What Could Be the Next Step?

In light of the current situation, the DGCA is likely to tighten flight safety regulations within the country, especially for major state-owned airlines. Additionally, internal reforms at Air India are expected, including pilot training, supervision of technical staff, and transparency in fleet management.

Investigations are ongoing, and their results could significantly impact not only Air India's future but also the reliability of Indian aviation as a whole.

(Source of the article: A statement by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA))