DGCA To Conduct Special Audit Of Flying Training Organisations Amid Rising Accidents

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a special audit of flying training organisations (FTOs) following a rise in accidents involving training aircraft. The audit will be conducted in three phases, spanning from September through November, and will cover 33 FTOs across the country.

According to a DGCA release, the audit aims to assess safety standards, operational procedures, and systemic deficiencies within FTOs to ensure the highest levels of safety and regulatory compliance. “This audit will focus on adherence to DGCA’s regulatory standards, including aircraft maintenance, airworthiness, and training operations,” the statement said.

The last such audit was conducted in 2022, but recent incidents involving training aircraft have raised concerns about FTOs’ compliance with aviation regulations and safety protocols.

In a separate action last month, the DGCA imposed a fine of Rs 90 lakh on Air India for operating flights with non-qualified crew members. Additionally, penalties of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh were imposed on the airline’s Director of Operations and Director of Training, respectively, bringing the total fine to Rs 99 lakh.