The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted its first comprehensive audit of the Indian aviation sector, highlighting severe safety issues. These include worn aircraft tyres, repeated technical snags, unserviceable ground equipment, and mismatched simulators.

Key Audit Findings

• Aircraft operated with worn tyres and unresolved technical issues, indicating ineffective monitoring.
• Maintenance lapses included failure by Aircraft Maintenance Engineers to follow work orders, unserviceable thrust reverser systems, and neglected safety precautions.
• Passenger Safety issues involved improperly secured life vests and damaged winglet tape.
• Faded runway markings and outdated data on surrounding buildings at some airports; malfunctioning taxiway lighting.
• Vehicles in restricted airport areas lacked proper speed controls.
• Training Simulators found with outdated software, not matching aircraft configurations.

Actions and Recommendations

• The DGCA issued a circular for corrective actions within seven days, intending ongoing cross-domain audits for systemic hazard detection.
• The audit represents a "360-degree evaluation" of aviation, involving airlines, airports, MROs, training institutes, and ground-handling agencies.
• Entities are required to file corrective action plans with root causes and strategies for implementation.
• Non-compliance may lead to penalties, including operational restrictions and financial fines.

Impacts and Future Steps

• The audit aims to supplement annual surveillance with broader inspections under the new audit regime, described as a "significant paradigm shift."
• Findings will be graded by severity, with critical issues requiring urgent attention.

Conclusion

This first-of-its-kind audit aims for comprehensive oversight and improved safety standards in India's aviation sector, marking a shift towards integrated and rigorous safety checks.