DGCA Reports Successful Completion of Boeing 737-8 Max Aircraft Inspection

DGCA confirmed satisfactory completion of Boeing 737-8 Max inspections in India after an Alaska Airlines incident. Indian operators Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air conducted thorough checks on their fleets, meeting DGCA's directives. No issues were reported, ensuring safety in the operational Boeing aircraft fleet.

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In a recent announcement by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, the inspections of Boeing 737-8 Max planes across India have concluded satisfactorily. These inspections were prompted by an incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft last week. Specifically, the checks centered on the wing emergency exits, resulting in satisfactory outcomes for 32 aircraft.

Initiated on January 6 in response to an incident on January 5 involving an Alaska Airlines' Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft, the checks aimed to address a mid-cabin door plug detachment during flight, leading to rapid decompression.

DGCA's directive mandated Indian operators with Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft to conduct thorough examinations, ensuring the proper closure of all over-wing emergency exits by January 7. Key carriers such as Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air diligently performed these checks across their operational fleets of Boeing B737-8 Max aircraft. This also encompassed one B737-8200 model with a mid-cabin door, all meeting satisfactory conclusions.

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According to DGCA's statement, "These checks have been satisfactorily performed on the operational fleet of Boeing B737-8 Max aircraft by Air India Express (4), SpiceJet (8), and Akasa (20). Akasa Air's fleet includes one B737-8200 aircraft, which has undergone the operational check satisfactorily."

Responding to DGCA's directive, Akasa Air affirmed a comprehensive inspection of its Boeing 737 Max fleet, reporting no adverse findings or operational disruptions. Similarly, SpiceJet confirmed the thorough examination of its Boeing 737 Max fleet, asserting the absence of any issues or operational disruptions.

Notably, there has been no official statement from Air India Express regarding the completion of these checks. Presently, Indian carriers do not include Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft in their fleets. The Alaska Airlines incident involved the detachment of the outer section, including a window, mid-air on January 5.