Meanwhile, Air India has received four fresh show-cause notices from the DGCA for violating safety regulations.
In the wake of the horrific Air India Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad airport that killed 274 people, over 100 of the airline’s pilots applied for medical leave within four days, Parliament was informed Thursday. The aviation disaster has reignited concerns over pilot mental health, flight safety, and regulatory oversight.
Junior Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol revealed the startling figure in the Lok Sabha, stating that 51 commanders and 61 flight officers applied for medical leave shortly after the July crash. The Boeing 787-Dreamliner lost thrust mid-air and slammed into a hostel building just two kilometers from the airport boundary, crashing 32 seconds after take-off.
"This underscores the need to recognise and manage pilots' mental health, particularly in the aftermath of such incidents," Mr. Mohol said.
Mr. Mohol added that in February 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instructed all airlines to implement swift and effective mental health assessments during medical tests. Airlines and airport authorities were also directed to launch "standalone and customised training capsules" for pilots and air traffic controllers to address mental health issues.
Furthermore, the DGCA called for the formation of peer support groups to help aviation personnel recognize and deal with psychological distress.
Meanwhile, Air India has received four fresh show-cause notices from the DGCA for violating safety regulations. These notices, issued Wednesday, relate to crew fatigue management and training protocol breaches.
The airline admitted to receiving the notices, stating, "We acknowledge receipt of these notices... related to certain voluntary disclosures made over the last one year. We will respond to the said notices..." The spokesperson emphasized, "Air India remains committed to the safety of our crew and passengers."
These notices bring the total to 13 issued to Air India in the past six months, citing numerous safety violations. Recent incidents include:
· A fire in the auxiliary power unit of an Airbus A321 after landing in Delhi
· A Kochi-Mumbai flight veering off the runway and damaging an engine cowling
· A Delhi-Kolkata flight aborting take-off at the last moment
· A Delhi-Mumbai Air India Express plane canceling take-off due to screen display issues
The crash investigation has entered a controversial phase after preliminary findings from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that fuel supply switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF', shutting down both engines.
Though the switches are designed to prevent accidental movement, they were found toggled within a second of each other. Media reports speculated deliberate action by the pilot, citing leaked cockpit conversations.
A snippet of the exchange between Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder captured one asking, "Did you switch the fuel supply off?" to which the other replied, "No."
Both the AAIB and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have condemned this media coverage as "unverified" and "irresponsible." The final crash report remains pending.
Following the report, the DGCA ordered all domestic operators of Boeing aircraft to inspect fuel supply switches. Air India later confirmed completion of these inspections and reported no issues.
As the aviation community awaits the final crash findings, questions persist around safety protocols, pilot support systems, and regulatory enforcement.
