Latest news with #Boeing787-8
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Air India faces 51 safety lapses in DGCA audit, gets deadline for fixing
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has found 51 safety lapses at Air India, including lack of adequate training for some pilots, use of unapproved simulators and rostering system. An Airbus A320 aircraft, operated by Air India Ltd, prepares to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi(Bloomberg/File) The lapses were mentioned in an 11-page confidential audit report prepared by the aviation watchdog this month, Reuters reported. Air India has yet to comment on the report. However, the report is part of an annual audit and is not linked to the investigation into the deadly Boeing 787-8 crash last month. The audit report from the DGCA said that seven "Level I" significant breaches needed to be fixed by July 30 and 44 other non-compliances classified needed to be resolved by August 23, the report said. Also Read: DGCA issues 4 show cause notices to Air India for cabin crew rest, duty norms violations: Reports The findings in the report come a month after Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, bound for London, crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. However, the annual audit was not linked to the investigation related to the deadly crash. The DGCA officials said they found "recurrent training gaps" for some unspecified Boeing 787 and 777 pilots, who had not completed their monitoring duties, where they are made to observe the functioning of instruments in the cockpit before they can start flying. The report also flagged operational and safety risks and said that Air India did not do "proper route assessments" for some Category C airports, which have difficult layouts or terrain. The airliner only conducted stimulator training for such airfields, which doesn't meet qualification standards, the report added. "This may account to non-consideration of safety risks during approaches to challenging airports," Reuters quoted the DGCA audit report as saying. The latest report comes a week after DGCA issued four show cause notices to Air India for multiple violations regarding cabin crew rest, duty norms, training rules and operational procedures. The show cause notices were issued by the DGCA came after the airline's voluntary reporting of the violations on June 20 and 21. The notices cited a total of 29 violations, including pilots not being given mandatory rest, poor compliance with training requirements and lack of training for a high-altitude airport, according to Reuters. Reacting to the fresh report, Air India reportedly said it was "fully transparent" during the audit and that it will "submit its response to the regulator within the stipulated time frame, along with the details of the corrective actions".
Hans India
12 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
United Airlines Boeing 787 Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Failure
A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner experienced a critical in-flight emergency last week when its left engine failed during the initial climb phase, forcing the crew to declare an emergency and execute an unscheduled return to Washington Dulles Airport. The incident occurred on July 25 during what was intended to be a routine transatlantic flight to Munich. United Airlines Flight UA108 had departed Washington Dulles Airport as scheduled when the engine malfunction manifested shortly after reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet. The timing of the failure, occurring during the critical climb phase of flight, required immediate action from the flight crew to ensure passenger and aircraft safety. Upon recognizing the severity of the engine problem, the pilots promptly declared a "MAYDAY" emergency, the highest level of aviation distress call, signaling to air traffic controllers that the aircraft was facing a life-threatening situation requiring immediate assistance and priority handling. The flight crew worked in close coordination with air traffic controllers to manage the emergency situation safely. Their primary concerns included reducing the aircraft's weight to safe landing parameters and ensuring adequate separation from other air traffic while maneuvering the disabled aircraft back to the departure airport. According to flight tracking data from FlightAware, the Boeing 787-8 remained airborne for approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes following the engine failure. This extended flight time was necessary to complete essential safety procedures before attempting a landing with the compromised aircraft. The pilots requested permission from air traffic controllers to dump fuel while maintaining a steady altitude of 6,000 feet. This fuel dumping procedure was crucial for reducing the aircraft's weight to within safe landing limits, as commercial aircraft typically carry much more fuel than the maximum allowable landing weight. During the fuel dumping process, the aircraft entered a holding pattern northwest of Washington, circling repeatedly in a designated area while safely discharging excess fuel into the atmosphere. Air traffic controllers provided guidance to ensure the distressed aircraft maintained safe separation from other flights operating in the busy Washington airspace. Controllers carefully managed the emergency situation by directing other aircraft away from the fuel dumping area and providing continuous guidance to the United Airlines crew throughout the extended emergency procedures. This coordination was essential for maintaining aviation safety standards during the critical phase of the incident. Once the fuel dumping procedure was completed and the aircraft had reached an acceptable weight for landing, the pilots sought clearance to approach Washington Dulles Airport using an Instrument Landing System approach to Runway 19 Centre. This precision approach system provided electronic guidance for a safe landing despite the engine failure. The emergency landing was executed successfully without injuries to passengers or crew members aboard the aircraft. However, the disabled left engine rendered the Boeing 787-8 unable to taxi under its own power following touchdown, requiring ground support equipment to move the aircraft. Airport ground crews were required to tow the immobilized Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner off the active runway to clear the way for other aircraft operations. The aircraft's inability to move independently highlighted the extent of the engine damage sustained during the in-flight emergency. As of Monday following the incident, the affected Boeing 787-8 remained grounded at Washington Dulles Airport while awaiting detailed technical assessment and repair work. The extended grounding suggests that the engine failure may have caused significant damage requiring comprehensive maintenance before the aircraft can return to service. United Airlines and relevant aviation safety authorities are expected to conduct thorough investigations into the technical malfunction to determine the root cause of the engine failure. Such investigations are standard procedure following serious in-flight emergencies and help identify potential safety improvements. The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Boeing aircraft safety, particularly given recent high-profile issues with various Boeing models. However, the successful emergency response and safe landing demonstrate the effectiveness of established aviation safety protocols and crew training procedures. Aviation safety experts will likely examine maintenance records, engine performance data, and operational procedures to understand how the failure occurred and whether any systemic issues contributed to the malfunction. The investigation findings may influence future maintenance requirements and safety protocols for similar aircraft.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
DGCA takes action against Air India over overdue emergency slide inspection
Advt Advt By , ETInfra India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has initiated enforcement action against Air India after it found that the inspection of an emergency slide on one of its aircraft was overdue. As per a PTI report, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha of the development on Monday."DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft till the required rectification was carried out. DGCA has initiated enforcement action against Air India and the responsible personnel as per Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual of DGCA," the minister said in a written statement was in response to a query by DMK member Tiruchi Siva, who had asked whether the government was aware that Air India aircraft were allowed to operate with overdue emergency slide inspections in the weeks preceding the crash of flight AI 171 in June. He also asked whether accountability had been fixed on the regulator for any oversight details such as the date of the audit or when enforcement action was initiated were not monitoring and compliance measuresMohol said the DGCA monitors compliance with safety and maintenance standards through surveillance, spot checks and night checks of airlines and their personnel."In case of violation, DGCA takes enforcement action in accordance with procedures prescribed in Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual. The enforcement action consists of warning, suspension, cancellation including imposition of financial penalty to the airlines/ personnel. DGCA officials are trained to perform the oversight and enforcement function," he recent months, Air India has been under scrutiny by the DGCA for various compliance-related 12 June, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft operated by Air India crashed into a building shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on flight AI 171 to London Gatwick. The incident resulted in 260 deaths.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
31 operational aircraft inspected after Air India crash: Minister of State for Civil Aviation
Following the crash of Air India flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad, 31 operational aircraft of the airline were inspected and there were minor findings observed in eight aircraft, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. 'Out of total 33 aircraft, 31 operational aircraft have been inspected wherein minor findings were observed in 8 aircraft. These aircraft have been released for operation post rectification. The remaining 2 aircraft are under scheduled maintenance,' he said. Responding to a question raised by DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Mohol said, the eight aircraft were pressed into operations after rectification. Mr Mohol said, Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) ordered an investigation after the air crash. Also, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered Air India to do additional checks on all 33 Boeing 787-8/9, he added. He noted that DGCA has a systematic safety oversight mechanism to check the compliance of Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for all the aircraft and the airport operators. 'The safety oversight process includes regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night surveillance and ramp inspections across all operators, including continuous oversight of maintenance practices,' he said.
India.com
a day ago
- Business
- India.com
Singapore Airlines Group's Profit Falls Nearly 59 Per Cent In Q1 Due To THIS Reason
Singapore: Singapore Airlines Group on Monday reported a steep fall of nearly 59 per cent in its net profit to 186 million Singapore dollars in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (Q1 FY26), compared to the same period the previous year (Q1 FY25). The decline in profit was mainly due to losses from associated companies, especially Air India, and lower interest income. Singapore Airlines holds a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, which has been facing financial and operational troubles. In a statement issued on Monday, Singapore Airlines said its total revenue for the quarter rose slightly by 1.5 per cent to SGD 4.79 billion. However, its net profit fell sharply by 58.8 per cent, mostly due to reduced operating profit and lower interest income. The airline said interest income dropped because of lower cash balances and falling interest rates. The group also pointed out that it recorded a share of losses from associated companies this time, unlike the same quarter last year when it saw profits. The losses from Air India were a major contributor. This is the first time Air India's financial performance has been reflected in Singapore Airlines Group's results, following the full merger of Vistara with Air India in December 2024. Despite the profit decline, Singapore Airlines said demand for air travel remained strong during the summer season in most regions. However, the airline also warned that the global aviation industry is still facing many challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic instability, changing market trends, and supply chain issues. The airline added that it will remain flexible and responsive to changing demand. Air India has recently seen multiple setbacks. On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying to London Gatwick crashed into a building shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. The tragic accident killed 260 people, further adding to the airline's ongoing troubles.
