DGCA Uncovers Major Safety Issues at Major Airports, Urges Immediate Action

Critical Safety Assessments Conducted by DGCA

In a recent surveillance operation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) evaluated the aviation sector to enhance safety measures and discovered significant safety deficiencies at airports, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi.

The regulator's findings have led to directives for relevant operators to undertake necessary corrective measures within a week. The DGCA's inspections at these major airports highlighted issues such as ineffective monitoring and insufficient rectification of identified defects.

This safety evaluation is part of an initiative that began with an Order issued on June 19. Two teams, under the leadership of the Joint Director General of DGCA, conducted inspections during nighttime and early morning hours, focusing on critical aviation operations. Areas of concern included flight operations, airworthiness, ramp safety, air traffic control (ATC), communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems, as well as pre-flight medical assessments.

Findings from the Inspections

During the inspections, numerous instances were noted where previously reported defects in aircraft systems re-emerged without proper rectification, indicating a lack of effective monitoring. Additionally, various ground handling equipment, including baggage trolleys and BFL units, were found to be unserviceable.

Repeated defects were observed on several aircraft, showcasing inadequate monitoring and rectification efforts. Ground handling equipment such as baggage trolleys and BFL units were deemed unserviceable, and maintenance procedures were not properly followed.

In many cases, work orders were ignored, tool control procedures were not adhered to, and safety protocols outlined in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) were overlooked. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) failed to address defect rectifications, and critical fault reports were not documented in technical records. Some aircraft were discovered with unsecured life vests and damaged corrosion-resistant tape on wing components.

Additional Deficiencies Identified

Further deficiencies were noted at the airport level, including faded runway centerline markings, malfunctioning green center lights on rapid exit taxiways, and outdated obstruction limitation data that had not been updated for over three years despite new constructions around the aerodromes.

For instance, the centerline markings on the runway were observed to be faded, and the green center light on the rapid exit taxiway was not functioning correctly. The obstruction limitation data had not been revised for the past three years, and no surveys had been conducted despite significant construction activity in the vicinity of the aerodrome. Additionally, several vehicles in the ramp area were found to be operating without speed governors.

As a corrective measure, these vehicles had their Airside Vehicle Permits (AVPs) revoked, and the drivers' Airside Driving Permits (ADPs) were suspended. An inspection of a simulator revealed discrepancies with the aircraft configuration and outdated software, raising concerns about training standards.

Immediate Actions Required

A domestic flight was delayed due to worn-out tires and was only cleared for takeoff after necessary repairs were completed. All findings from the surveillance have been communicated to the relevant operators, who have been instructed to implement corrective actions within a week.

Based on these observations, the DGCA has formally notified all concerned operators, emphasizing the need for immediate corrective actions to address the identified safety risks. The DGCA reiterated that such thorough surveillance efforts will persist in the future to proactively identify and mitigate safety hazards within India's civil aviation sector.