DGCA imposes fine on IndiGo for tail strikes during landing

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• Jul 28, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on IndiGo for...

Digital Desk: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on IndiGo for four tail strikes in six months this year. The regulator stated that it conducted investigations after discovering inadequacies in the airline's documentation regarding operations, training, and engineering procedures. 

"Indigo Airlines experienced four tail strike incidents on A321 aircraft within a span of six months in the year 2023. DGCA carried out a special audit of M/s Indigo Airlines, and reviewed their documentation and procedure on operations, training, engineering and FDM program.  During the special audit, certain systemic deficiencies were observed in M/s Indigo Airlines documentation pertaining to operations/training procedures and engineering procedures," it said.

The regulator issued a show cause notice to the airline, directing it to respond within the time frame specified. The DGCA evaluated the reply and found that it was unsatisfactory. 

"Subsequently, DGCA has imposed a financial penalty of Rs 30 lakh on M/s Indigo Airlines and also directed them to amend their documents and procedures in line with DGCA requirements and OEM guidelines," it said. 

Separately, the regulator suspended the pilot and co-pilot licenses of the IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad that suffered a tail strike. The regulator said that the pilots violated aviation rules and standard operating procedures. 

After the incident, the regulator quickly grounded the pilots and launched an investigation. According to the DGCA, the crew conducted the landing in violation of set standards, so the pilot-in-command's license was suspended for three months and the co-pilot's license was suspended for one month. 

A tail strike happens when an airplane's tail strikes with the runway during takeoff or landing.