PILOTS WARNED TO BE CAREFUL
An ARC violation can attract a penalty of up to 10 million rupees (US$111,201).
The certificate is issued annually for commercial aircraft after a comprehensive review and verification of their compliance with airworthiness standards, according to the DGCA.
It is typically issued after DGCA officials conduct a physical inspection, which includes interior and exterior checks ranging from medical kits on board to tyre condition.
Air India’s investigation found that aircraft VT-TQN flew eight passenger flights and one test flight with an expired ARC due to the “convergence of multiple latent organisational and process deficiencies”.
It found both the plane’s engines were changed and it was released for the test flight on Nov 24 without the required special flight permit, because the aircraft maintenance engineer “failed to check the onboard documents”.
Further checks on passenger flights were also missed, added the report, which was drafted after interviewing employees and reviewing internal evidence.
The Air India investigation also blamed the pilots, saying those who flew the eight flights did not comply with standard operating procedures before taking off.
On Dec 1, Air India’s Director Flight Operations, Manish Uppal, reminded all pilots via an internal email to check paperwork before every flight, including navigation charts, cargo manifest and the ARC, the report said.
“Non-adherence to company policy or SOPs will be viewed seriously and may attract action,” the email said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/air-india-fly-plane-without-permit-investigation-compliance-culture-5573816
