DGCA Slams Akasa for Neglecting Captain Training After Bangalore Incident
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to Akasa Air for reportedly failing to provide corrective training to a pilot-in-command (PIC) after a flight he operated made a hard landing. During a regulatory audit of the airline in Mumbai last month, the regulator discovered issues with a Bagdogra-Bangalore flight (QP 1851) operated on a Boeing (VT-YAE) on March 5, 2024.
“The incident was closed with a counselling session only without any corrective training being imparted to the PIC,” the regulator has found and issued the notice to the airline, asking it to reply within 14 days.
Sources say the aircraft had made a hard landing. “It bounced after touching down. The pilot then pressed the take off to go around (TOGA) button to take off and land in a second attempt. TOGA was rejected, and the aircraft went on to land,” said sources. Comments were sought from Akasa on this, too, and were awaited.
Last month, the regulator fined Akasa Rs 30 lakh for alleged non-compliance with rules regarding its pilot training procedures. This followed a spot check conducted at Akasa’s headquarters in Gurgaon on May 20, 2024. After the inspection, the regulator issued a show cause notice to the airline.
