DGCA's Uncompromising Stance Sends Strong Message to Airlines on Safety Compliance

NEW-DELHI: In a significant move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulatory body, has taken stern action against IndiGo Airlines' pilot and co-pilot, canceling their licenses for three months and one month, respectively. The decision came in response to a tail strike incident that occurred during the landing of an IndiGo flight in Ahmedabad on 15th June.

A tail strike refers to the situation where the rear of an aircraft makes contact with the runway during take-off or landing. Following the unfortunate incident in Ahmedabad, IndiGo promptly ordered an investigation into the matter. The flight, designated as 6E6595, had originated from Bangalore and was en route to Ahmedabad.

While the landing caused a tail strike, fortunately, no passengers sustained injuries during the occurrence. The aircraft was immediately grounded in Ahmedabad for a comprehensive evaluation and necessary repairs.

As a consequence of the incident, the DGCA directed the de-rostering of both the pilot and co-pilot involved. The regulatory authority further took the decision to suspend the pilot's license for three months and the co-pilot's license for one month. Notably, this was not an isolated incident for the airline. Prior to the Ahmedabad tail strike, a similar event took place at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on 11th June 2023. On this occasion, an Airbus A321 aircraft operated by IndiGo was arriving from Kolkata when the rear portion of the plane made contact with the ground during landing. As a result, the DGCA ordered IndiGo's cockpit crew not to operate flights in response to this occurrence as well.

In another unfortunate instance, an IndiGo flight in Nagpur also experienced a tail strike during landing, adding to the airline's list of concerning incidents. The DGCA's decisive action reflects the seriousness with which aviation safety is treated in India. With the cancellation of licenses, it serves as a stern reminder to all airlines and pilots to prioritize adherence to safety protocols and guidelines to prevent any mishaps. IndiGo Airlines has expressed its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into both tail strike incidents.