Worn-out Tyres, Reappearing Defects, Faded Runway Marking: DGCA Surveillance Finds Multiple Lapses

New Delhi: A scheduled domestic flight having worn-out tyres, resulting in its cancellation; multiple cases of reported defects reappearing, suggesting ineffective monitoring and inadequate rectification action; non-adherence to proper work order and safety precautions during aircraft maintenance: these are some of the findings and actions of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as it conducts comprehensive surveillance at major airports including those of Delhi and Mumbai.

While the DGCA listed a number of problems that it found during its surveillance, it did not name the airports or the aircraft in which they were found.

The findings come as a part of the surveillance launched by the aviation safety regulator in the aftermath of the June 12 crash of the London-bound Air India flight 171 outside the Ahmedabad airport shortly after taking off.

The crash killed all but one of the 242 people aboard the Boeing 787-8 aircraft as well as several others on the ground.

On June 19, the DGCA issued an order to initiate a focused assessment of the aviation ecosystem in order to strengthen safety measures across the sector.

The DGCA in a statement on Tuesday (June 24) said that comprehensive surveillance “during night and early morning hours” at major airports, including those of Delhi and Mumbai, found that in one case, a domestic flight operated by a scheduled carrier had worn-out tyres, following which it was cancelled and the aircraft released only after the required rectification was carried out.

Its surveillance also found multiple cases where reported defects re-appeared many times in aircraft, indicating ineffective monitoring and inadequate rectificatory action on the said repeated defects.

The audit found that ground handling equipment such as baggage trolleys were found unserviceable, while procedures relating to line maintenance stores and tool control were not followed.

“Defect reports generated by the aircraft system were not found recorded in the technical logbook; several life vests were not properly secured beneath their designated seats; the corrosion-resistant tape on the right-hand side winglet's lower blade was found to be damaged,” the DGCA said.

“Similarly at an airport, centre line marking of runway was observed faded; the rapid exit taxiway, green centre lights were not unidirectional; the obstruction limitation data has not been updated for last three years and no survey has been performed despite many new constructions around the vicinity of aerodrome; number of vehicles in the ramp area were found without speed governors,” it added.

The surveillance was conducted by two teams led by a joint director general of the DGCA.

It “covered multiple critical areas such as flight operations, airworthiness, ramp safety, air traffic control, communication, navigation and surveillance systems, and pre-flight medical evaluations.

“Throughout the surveillance, ground activities and aircraft movements were closely monitored to check the compliance of regulatory requirements and to identify weak areas for improvement,” the DGCA said.

The regulator said that its surveillance will continue to detect future hazards, and that all its findings have been communicated to the concerned operators for taking necessary corrective action within seven days.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.