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Air India Audit Uncovers Major Safety Breaches Amid Crash Scrutiny
A DGCA audit finds 7 major safety violations & 44 non-compliances in Air India ops, days after deadly Boeing 787 crash. Lapses include forged records, crew fatigue, training gaps & more.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-29
Air India Audit Uncovers Major Safety Breaches Amid Crash Scrutiny

NEW DELHI — India’s aviation regulator has flagged serious safety and operational concerns at Air India in a damning 11-page confidential audit, revealing systemic failures in training, aircraft maintenance, crew management, and operational protocols. The findings come amid intensified scrutiny after a deadly Boeing 787 crash last month in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people.

Although the annual audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was not directly linked to the crash, it revealed seven “Level I” serious breaches—the highest level of non-compliance—which must be rectified by July 30, and 44 other violations due by August 23.

❗ Key Safety Violations Highlighted:

  • Recurrent training lapses among Boeing 787 and 777 pilots, with some failing to complete mandatory cockpit observation sessions.
  • Improper route risk assessments for dangerous Category C airports, with training simulators not meeting regulatory standards.
  • Flights operated without proper emergency equipment checks and failure to replace engine parts on time.
  • Flight time exceeded limits: One AI-787 flight from Milan to Delhi breached crew duty regulations by over 2 hours.
  • Inadequate crew alert system: At least four international flights flew with fewer cabin crew than required.
  • Forged documentation and incomplete training records.
  • No assigned chief pilots for the A320 and A350 fleets, raising concerns over oversight and accountability.

The audit, conducted by 10 inspectors and 4 auditors, paints a grim picture of operational negligence at the Tata-owned airline. Authorities noted that despite multiple prior warnings, Air India’s flight and safety protocols remain inconsistent and, in some cases, dangerously inadequate.

In response, Air India said it was “fully transparent” during the audit and pledged to submit a detailed action plan to address the issues within the regulator’s deadlines.

✈️ Crash Context and Broader Issues

The crash in June involved the Boeing 787 and an initial probe revealed critical cockpit confusion: both pilots allegedly flipped fuel switches almost simultaneously after takeoff. One pilot reportedly asked the other why the fuel had been cut, and the response was, “I didn’t do it.”

The DGCA has repeatedly raised red flags about crew fatigue, training gaps, and maintenance delays across the Air India fleet, which includes 34 Boeing 787s and 23 Boeing 777s, according to Flightradar24.

Meanwhile, Air India passengers frequently complain about broken seats, dirty cabins, and non-functional systems, issues which continue despite a multi-billion-dollar fleet and service upgrade since Tata Group reacquired the airline from the government in 2022.

Just last week, the DGCA issued 29 notices for systemic lapses to senior Air India officials, including the directors of flight operations and training.

In 2023 alone, authorities penalized Indian airlines in 23 safety-related cases—11 of them involved the Air India Group. The highest fine imposed on the carrier was $127,000 for insufficient oxygen supply on international flights.
Tagged:

AviationSafety

AirIndiaCrash

DGCA
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