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Air Safety Audit in India Reveals Multiple Failures in Airlines and Airports

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A recent air safety audit in India has raised alarms within the aviation industry. Ordered in the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which claimed the lives of 241 occupants aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and several people on the ground, the investigation by the national regulator—the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)—has uncovered systemic failures that threaten safety.

Poor Maintenance and Questionable Safety Culture

The DGCA identified recurring defects in aircraft maintenance, highlighting inadequate oversight and a lack of effective corrective measures. In several cases, maintenance engineers disregarded basic safety precautions and failed to log fault reports generated by the aircraft’s own systems in the technical logs.

One of the most serious findings involved a domestic flight delayed due to worn-out tires—a visible issue during inspection. In another instance, a flight simulator was found to be misconfigured for the actual aircraft model, and its software had not been updated, severely compromising pilot training.

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Airports with Obsolete Equipment and Ineffective Controls

The audit also covered airports in New Delhi and Mumbai, where ground support equipment, such as baggage carts, was found out of service. Additionally, key maintenance procedures, including tool control and proper work order issuance, were not being followed.

At one unspecified airport, obstacle limitation data had not been updated in three years, despite new nearby construction. This increases the risk of air operations in rapidly urbanizing areas without proper oversight.

Official Response and Proposed Measures

According to the DGCA, all findings were communicated to the involved operators, who have seven days to implement necessary corrective actions. This response comes amid rapid growth in India’s aviation sector, where safety appears to have lagged behind expansion.

In reaction to the deficiencies exposed after the Ahmedabad disaster, India has proposed new legislation to demolish constructions violating height limits near airports, aiming to reduce potential obstacles in flight paths.

The report serves as an urgent wake-up call for an industry that can no longer afford to grow without first ensuring the safety of its operations. The tragedy of Flight AI171 and the serious failures identified must mark a turning point in how India manages its aviation infrastructure.

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