DGCA Strips Akasa Air Pilot Of Designated Examiner Role Over Procedural Lapses
The DGCA, in its order, also "warned" the senior pilot to adhere to the regulatory compliance and regulatory standards in future
India's Aviation safety regulator suspended its approval for a senior Akasa Air pilot to act as a designated examiner over procedural lapses. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also cancelled a skill test of a trainee pilot conducted by the designated examiner and ordered a retest.
The regulator's action came amid heightened scrutiny of the operations of airlines in the wake of the June 12 plane crash in which 241 on board and another 19 on the ground in Ahmedabad in the deadliest aviation accident in a decade.
'Refer to e-mail dated 26.05.2025 by Director Training of Akasa Air, the case has been examined and based on the personal bearing and review of procedural deviations and findings during the check session conducted by Designated Examiner, DE approval is hereby suspended for a period of six months," the DGCA said in its July 29 order.
Designated examiners are authorised to conduct various skill tests and proficiency checks for pilots to ensure that they meet the required competency level for licensing and ratings.
The regulator in its order also 'warned" the senior pilot to adhere to the regulatory compliance and regulatory standards in future.
Further, the trainee pilot's skill test conducted by the senior pilot is hereby declared null and void. A retest shall be conducted by a qualified Designated Examiner (DE) under the observation of a type-rated flight operations inspector, the DGCA order stated.
In a statement, Akasa Air Spokesperson said: 'Keeping safety in mind is of utmost priority at Akasa. Each Designated Examiner (DE) and every other employee of the company upholds this standard in its highest form at all times. The primary objective of any Designated Examiner at Akasa is to ensure that all trainings and assessments are professional, and meet prescribed regulatory and safety standards without any fear of passing unsatisfactory candidates."
(With PTI inputs)
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Last Updated: The DGCA, in its order, also "warned" the senior pilot to adhere to the regulatory compliance and regulatory standards in future India's Aviation safety regulator suspended its approval for a senior Akasa Air pilot to act as a designated examiner over procedural lapses. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also cancelled a skill test of a trainee pilot conducted by the designated examiner and ordered a retest. The regulator's action came amid heightened scrutiny of the operations of airlines in the wake of the June 12 plane crash in which 241 on board and another 19 on the ground in Ahmedabad in the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. 'Refer to e-mail dated 26.05.2025 by Director Training of Akasa Air, the case has been examined and based on the personal bearing and review of procedural deviations and findings during the check session conducted by Designated Examiner, DE approval is hereby suspended for a period of six months," the DGCA said in its July 29 order. Designated examiners are authorised to conduct various skill tests and proficiency checks for pilots to ensure that they meet the required competency level for licensing and ratings. The regulator in its order also 'warned" the senior pilot to adhere to the regulatory compliance and regulatory standards in future. Further, the trainee pilot's skill test conducted by the senior pilot is hereby declared null and void. A retest shall be conducted by a qualified Designated Examiner (DE) under the observation of a type-rated flight operations inspector, the DGCA order stated. In a statement, Akasa Air Spokesperson said: 'Keeping safety in mind is of utmost priority at Akasa. Each Designated Examiner (DE) and every other employee of the company upholds this standard in its highest form at all times. The primary objective of any Designated Examiner at Akasa is to ensure that all trainings and assessments are professional, and meet prescribed regulatory and safety standards without any fear of passing unsatisfactory candidates." (With PTI inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
