DGCA demands answers from Akasa after crash landing

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a show-cause notice to Akasa on Tuesday for allegedly not providing corrective instruction to a PIC after a flight operated under his command made a hard-landing. During a Mumbai regulatory audit conducted last month, the regulator found that the same was true for a Bagdogra – Bangalore flight (QP 1851) which was operated by a Boeing 737 Max (VT – YAE) on the 5th of March 2024.

The regulator found that the incident was only closed with a counseling session, without any training for the PIC. It sent a notice to the airline asking it to respond within 14 days. Akasa’s comments on this issue were sought and awaited up until the time of going to press.

Sources claim that the aircraft made a hard touchdown. “It bounced when it touched down. The pilot then pressed take off go around button (TOGA) to take off and landing in a second try. Sources said that TOGA was rejected and the aircraft landed. Akasa was also asked to comment on this and comments were expected.

In fact, last month the regulator fined Akasa 30 lakh INR for alleged noncompliance with rules in its pilot training procedures. The regulator conducted a spot-check at Akasa Gurgaon’s HQ on May 20, 2024 and then issued a show-cause notice to the airline.

The DGCA allows the airlines to train their pilots in their approved establishments. There are also exams that can be conducted there, and the regulator accepts their results. In the case of Akasa however, the spot checks revealed alleged deficiencies in this area.

After giving the airline a chance to respond, and after studying the case, the DGCA on October 17 issued a directive directing the airline’s head of Training to deposit INR30 lakh as a fine in a period of one month.