Indigo Airlines Faces Fines After Tail Strike Incidents

Indigo Airlines Faces INR 30 Lakh Fine and Pilot Suspensions Due to Tail Strike Incidents

Indigo Airlines, a prominent Indian carrier, has been slapped with a substantial fine of INR 30 lakhs by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a special audit prompted by concerns over frequent tail strike occurrences. Over a six-month period this year, the airline encountered four such incidents on their A321 aircraft.

During the special audit, conducted by the aviation regulator, the focus was on assessing the airline's documentation and procedures related to operations, training, engineering, and flight data monitoring (FDM) programs. The examination revealed notable deficiencies in these areas, as stated by a senior DGCA official on Friday.

Upon receiving a show cause notice from the DGCA, Indigo Airlines was required to respond within a specified time frame. However, after a comprehensive review at various levels, the regulator deemed the airline's response unsatisfactory. Consequently, the financial penalty was imposed, and the airline was instructed to revise its documents and procedures to align with DGCA requirements and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines.

Furthermore, in connection with a tail strike incident involving an A321 aircraft in Ahmedabad on June 15, the DGCA suspended the licences of two IndiGo pilots. The audit uncovered that the crew did not adhere to established operating procedures during landing, leading to the suspension of the pilot-in-command licence for three months and the co-pilot's licence for one month, in line with relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).

Tail strikes occur when the tail of an aircraft makes contact with the ground or an object during takeoff or landing, often resulting from human error and potentially causing significant damage to the aircraft. The DGCA's actions are aimed at enforcing stringent safety protocols and preventing similar incidents in the future.

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