Air India's Admitted Flawed Compliance Culture: A Threat to Passenger Safety
Air India's recent investigation into a critical incident has revealed systemic failures that put hundreds of lives at risk. On November 24-25, an Airbus A320 conducted eight commercial flights without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC), a key annual permit ensuring compliance with safety standards. This oversight was a result of engineers and pilots failing to check the aircraft's documents, highlighting a deeper issue within Air India's compliance culture.
The internal investigation report, reviewed by Reuters, found that critical information was not shared with all relevant stakeholders, and timely interventions were missed. This incident underscores the urgent need for improvements in process discipline, communication, and compliance culture. The findings, signed by Chief Operations Officer Captain Basil Kwauk, have been submitted to Indian aviation authorities but remain non-public.
This is not the first time Air India has faced scrutiny. The airline has a history of running planes without checking emergency equipment, neglecting timely engine part replacements, and forging records to show compliance. The tragic crash of a Boeing Dreamliner in June, which killed 260 people, further underscores the gravity of these issues. Air India's response to the November incident, calling it 'regrettable' and suspending some personnel, was met with a grounding order and an investigation by India's civil aviation watchdog, the DGCA.
The DGCA and Airbus did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The ARC violation can result in a penalty of up to 10 million rupees ($111,201). The certificate is issued annually after a comprehensive review and verification of airworthiness standards, typically following a physical inspection by DGCA officials, including checks from medical kits to tire condition.
Air India's investigation revealed that aircraft VT-TQN flew eight passenger flights and one test flight with an expired ARC due to 'convergence of multiple latent organizational and process deficiencies.' The plane's engines were changed, and it was released for the test flight on November 24 without the required special flight permit because the aircraft maintenance engineer failed to check the onboard documents. Further checks on passenger flights were also missed.
The investigation also blamed the pilots, who did not comply with standard operating procedures before taking off. Air India's Director of Flight Operations, Manish Uppal, reminded pilots via an internal email to check paperwork before every flight, including navigation charts, cargo manifest, and the ARC. Non-adherence to company policy or SOPs will be taken seriously and may result in action.
This incident highlights the critical importance of robust compliance protocols and the need for a comprehensive review of Air India's safety and operational procedures.
