Indian aviation regulator finds safety failures at major airports
A review by India's civil aviation ministry has identified a series of safety failings by airport teams and airlines at Mumbai and New Delhi airports.
For the review, teams led by the country's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitored ground activities and aircraft movements to check for compliance with regulatory requirements, as well as to identify weak areas in need of improvement, the agency said in an announcement.
The review, the DGCA explained, covered flight operations, airworthiness, ramp safety, air traffic control, communication, preflight medical evaluations and navigation and surveillance systems.
The DGCA didn't mention airlines or other entities by name. But the agency did note specific types of failures. For example, review teams saw multiple cases in which reported aircraft defects re-appeared many times, indicating ineffective aircraft monitoring and rectification action. Monitors also observed a maintenance work order that was not followed and occasions when inadequate safety precautions were taken during maintenance.
At one airport, a centerline runway marking was faded.
In another case, an aircraft simulator was found to not match with the aircraft configuration.
And in yet another detailed failing, a domestic flight had to be canceled due to worn tires.
"All the findings observed during the surveillance have been communicated to the concerned operators for taking necessary corrective actions within seven days," the DGCA said. "This process of comprehensive surveillance will continue in future to detect hazards in the system."
The review came amid enhanced scrutiny and focus on Indian aviation safety following the June 12 crash of and Air India flight in Ahmedabad, which killed 241 passengers and crew and 29 people on the ground.
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