New Delhi: In the wake of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 270 people, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has summoned Boeing executives, senior airline officials, and key government functionaries to address growing concerns over civil aviation safety in India, a report by NDTV mentioned.
The committee, headed by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha, is expected to convene in the first week of July to discuss multiple lapses in aircraft maintenance, operational oversight, and regulatory gaps. According to reports, top officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have also been summoned to face tough questions from the panel.
Focus on role of DGCA in monitoring aircraft safety
Sources familiar with the agenda told NDTV that the focus of the meeting will include the role of DGCA in monitoring aircraft safety, maintenance schedules, mental and physical fitness of pilots, and the increasing frequency of helicopter accidents. The recent crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight AI 171 has prompted urgent scrutiny of both the airline and its aircraft manufacturer, Boeing.
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The aircraft crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad, failing to generate adequate thrust and plunging into a densely populated residential area nearly two kilometre from the runway. The black box and cockpit voice recorder were recovered but reportedly sustained damage, requiring forensic data extraction.
Air India has cancelled over 100 Dreamliner flights
In its preliminary action, the DGCA ordered the removal of three senior Air India officials from responsibilities related to crew scheduling and demanded internal disciplinary action from the airline. The regulator also warned of severe consequences, including the suspension of Air India’s operating licence, if the directive is ignored.
Since the crash, Air India has cancelled over 100 Dreamliner flights as it conducts an extensive safety inspection of its fleet of 32 Boeing 787s. Meanwhile, technical issues involving Boeing aircraft operated by other airlines have been reported, further raising alarms about the aircraft model.
