Archive · 31 Dec 2025
DGCA Issues Notice to Air India Over Safety Violations
The DGCA, which is like the boss of air safety in India, has sent a warning to Air India and some of its senior pilots.
They say there were some big problems with two flights from Delhi to Tokyo.
The problems were about the plane not being ready properly, some rules not being followed, and the pilots maybe not making the best decisions.
The DGCA wants Air India and the pilots to explain why they shouldn't be punished.
They have 14 days to answer.
The problems weren't just one-time things; they had happened before too.
The DGCA is really serious about this because safety is the most important thing in flying.
Some experts think the problem is bigger than just the pilots and might be about how Air India handles safety overall.
DGCA issued a show-cause notice to Air India and senior flight crew for serious safety and compliance lapses in Delhi–Tokyo operations of flights AI-357 and AI-358.
Issues identified include aircraft dispatch, MEL compliance, and flight crew decision-making, with a pattern of repeated snags across five previous sectors.
Aircraft VT-ANI was dispatched with incompatible MEL items, violating CAR Section 2, Series B, Part I (Paras 2.2, 2.3).
Non-compliance with MEL 'O' conditions related to the lower right recirculation fan on AI-358, violating CAR Section 2, Series B, Part I, Para 5.3.
Pilots accepted the aircraft without adequate understanding of MEL limitations and system interdependencies, violating CAR Section 8, Series O, Part II (Paras 3.1.2, 4.5.1).
- Who
- DGCA, Air India, senior flight crew
- What
- Show-cause notice issued for safety violations
- When
- Not specified, but response required within 14 days
- Where
- Delhi–Tokyo operations of flights AI-357 and AI-358
- Why
- Serious safety and compliance lapses
Regulatory Perspective
Aviation Expert Perspective
Cause of Safety Lapses
Regulatory Perspective
The DGCA attributes the safety lapses to inadequate understanding of MEL limitations and system interdependencies by the flight crew.
Aviation Expert Perspective
Aviation expert Amit Singh suggests that the issues stem from a broader organizational culture within Air India, including normalization of defects and paper compliance over real safety.
- Aircraft Involved
- VT-ANI
- Flights Involved
- AI-357, AI-358
- Issues Identified
- Aircraft dispatch, MEL compliance, flight crew decision-making
- Regulator
- DGCA
- Response Deadline
- 14 days
- Previous Incidents
- 5 previous sectors with similar issues
- CAR Sections Violated
- Section 2, Series B, Part I (Paras 2.2, 2.3, 5.3); Section 8, Series O, Part II (Paras 3.1.2, 4.5.1)
