3 days ago
DGCA Flagged Tecnam Safety Concerns Before Fatal Kanpur Crash
India’s aviation regulator had raised concerns about some Tecnam training planes before a fatal crash.
The latest safety advice was sent to flying schools in July 2026.
It followed an earlier Tecnam crash in Bhiwani, Haryana, in 2022.
Schools were told not to leave the planes on hot airport surfaces for too long.
They were also told to improve emergency training and update their checklists.
On August 27, a Tecnam training plane crashed near the Ganga in Kanpur.
Instructor Sachin Bhatia and trainee pilot Abhishek Pujari died.
Investigators will now try to find out what caused the crash.
The operator said the aircraft did not have maintenance-related problems.
DGCA raised concerns about Tecnam aircraft with flying schools at least twice since 2025.
On July 10, 2026, it circulated AAIB recommendations linked to a 2022 Bhiwani crash.
Flying schools were told to limit summer tarmac parking and improve emergency training and checklists.
A Garg Aviation Tecnam P2006T crashed near Kanpur on August 27, killing two people.
The AAIB investigation will examine maintenance, airworthiness, operating limits, and technical or human factors.
- Who
- The DGCA, AAIB, Garg Aviation, instructor Sachin Bhatia, and trainee pilot Abhishek Pujari.
- What
- A Tecnam P2006T training aircraft crashed, prompting scrutiny of earlier regulator concerns and safety recommendations.
- Where
- The aircraft crashed near Nathapurwa village in the Katri area along the Ganga, after taking off from Kanpur Civil Airport.
- When
- The crash occurred on August 27, 2026; the latest DGCA communication was dated July 10, 2026, and an earlier reminder was sent on August 4, 2025.
- Why
- The cause is undetermined; the safety recommendations followed the 2022 Bhiwani crash investigation, while the new investigation will assess possible contributing factors.
Calls for greater Tecnam scrutiny
No confirmed aircraft fault
Temporary grounding
Calls for greater Tecnam scrutiny
An instructor speaking anonymously suggested temporarily grounding Tecnam aircraft until their safety and airworthiness had been fully assessed.
No confirmed aircraft fault
The articles report no grounding decision, and authorities have not established that the Tecnam aircraft type caused the crash.
Operational safety
Calls for greater Tecnam scrutiny
The instructor said some pilots had faced difficulties, that concerns involved single- and multi-engine Tecnam aircraft, and that incidents were not always clearly reflected in available records.
No confirmed aircraft fault
The DGCA recommendations addressed parking, emergency training, and checklists, but they did not establish that all Tecnam aircraft were unsafe.
Maintenance and crash cause
Calls for greater Tecnam scrutiny
The earlier regulator concerns and the unusual appearance of the wreckage, according to the instructor, warranted investigation of possible technical or operational issues.
No confirmed aircraft fault
Garg Aviation said the crashed aircraft had no maintenance-related deficiencies, while the AAIB will determine whether technical or human factors contributed.
Key facts
- Aircraft
- Tecnam P2006T, registration VT-NBV
- Operator
- Garg Aviation
- Crash timing
- The aircraft took off around 11:30 a.m. and crashed about 20 minutes later on August 27, 2026.
- Fatalities
- Flying instructor Sachin Bhatia and trainee pilot Abhishek Pujari were killed.
- Earlier accident
- A twin-engine Tecnam P2006T operated by FSTC Flying School Pvt Ltd crashed at Bhiwani, Haryana, on May 12, 2022.
- DGCA recommendations
- FTOs were told to avoid prolonged summer apron or tarmac parking, strengthen emergency training, and revise checklists to include manufacturer-recommended actions.
- Investigation
- The AAIB will conduct the detailed investigation, with a three-member DGCA team providing regulatory oversight and coordination.
Quotes
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
India’s civil aviation regulator issuing safety recommendations to flying training organisations
“Diamond and Cessna aircraft, which have traditionally been flown for a long time, have good reliability, maintenance and airworthiness. Tecnam aircraft are becoming more popular because of their affordability, but there is a flying risk associated with them”
telegraphindia.com
“checklists should be revised to explicitly incorporate all Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)-recommended actions for handling emergency situations”
thehansindia.com
An anonymous flying instructor
A flying instructor who spoke to PTI anonymously
“Diamond and Cessna aircraft, which have traditionally been flown for a long time, have good reliability, maintenance and airworthiness. Tecnam aircraft are becoming more popular because of their affordability, but there is a flying risk associated with them”
deccanchronicle.com
thehindubusinessline.com
“The damage to the aircraft was not as severe in the Bhiwani crash of 2022 although it was the same-make aircraft, but here the whole fuselage has gone leaving only the tail of the plane”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
DGCA flags Tecnam aircraft safety issues over a month before Kanpur plane crash - Telegraph India
Kanpur training aircraft crash: DGCA had flagged Tecnam safety concerns before fatal accident
Kanpur crash: DGCA flagged safety issues with Tecnam aircraft
DGCA Flagged Tecnam Safety Issues Weeks Before Kanpur Crash
DGCA flagged safety issues with Tecnam aircraft before Kanpur crash
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