TV
In the wake of the devastating Air India AI171 crash that claimed 274 lives on June 12 in Ahmedabad, a renewed spotlight has fallen on aviation safety across India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), driven by public concern and the gravity of the incident, has launched an aggressive audit of India's airport infrastructure and airline operations. The findings are deeply concerning — revealing a patchwork of systemic lapses, from worn-out aircraft tyres to ignored maintenance protocols.
Night Audits at the Nation's Busiest Airports
To ensure unbiased assessments, DGCA teams, led by the Joint Director General, carried out inspections during night and early morning hours — periods often overlooked in routine checks. Focused audits were conducted at key hubs, including Delhi and Mumbai, as part of a wider effort to identify operational gaps and systemic hazards across the aviation ecosystem.
Ground Zero: A Crumbling Safety Net
The inspections unearthed a distressing series of failures across critical safety components:
Aircraft Maintenance: Recurring technical issues were noted, previously reported defects reappeared due to ineffective resolution processes. Some alerts went unrecorded in technical logbooks, and maintenance personnel were found skipping essential steps in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).
Human Oversight: Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) were reported to have ignored known snags, indicating a dangerous erosion of accountability.
Training Concerns: A flight simulator used for pilot training was found misconfigured and running outdated software — undermining the fidelity of training meant to prepare pilots for emergencies.
Ramp Risks and Equipment Failures
On the ground, the situation was no better. Safety inspections uncovered unserviceable baggage trolleys and belt loaders, unsecured life vests inside aircraft cabins, and damaged corrosion-resistant tape on aircraft winglets — all indicators of lacklustre pre-flight checks and maintenance apathy.
Line maintenance stores were found violating tool control procedures, casting doubts on the consistency and reliability of technical interventions on aircraft.
Airport Infrastructure: Poorly Lit, Poorly Marked
Even basic infrastructure failed to meet standards. Faded runway centreline markings, misaligned taxiway lights, and outdated obstruction data — unupdated for over three years — put both aircraft and passengers at risk. As cities evolve, the failure to map new structures around airports poses grave dangers during takeoff and landing.
Moreover, the audit exposed vehicular non-compliance in airside operations. Several ramp vehicles lacked speed governors, resulting in revoked permits and suspended airside driving licences for their operators.
Immediate Orders: Fix in 7 Days
In response to the findings, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued stern directives: all flagged issues must be addressed and rectified within seven days. The DGCA reaffirmed its commitment to continuous and surprise surveillance, underscoring that this is not a one-off audit, but a part of a long-term systemic overhaul.
A Wake-Up Call After Tragedy
For the families affected by the Ahmedabad crash and the wider traveling public, these findings reinforce the urgent need for reform. While investigations continue into the causes of AI171's fatal crash, this sweeping audit reveals an uncomfortable truth — the very system meant to ensure flight safety is in dire need of repair itself.
The coming days will be critical. The nation watches not just for compliance, but for transformation.
