Aviation safety in India: A matter of concern

According to the civil aviation regulator's data till August this year, as many as 15 passenger aircrafts suffered midflight engine damage.

A sharp rise in the cases of engine failure in aircrafts has raised serious questions about the aviation safety in India.

According to the civil aviation regulator's data till August this year, as many as 15 passenger aircrafts suffered midflight engine damage.

Although the probe is on to find out the reasons for such failures, the data is worrying as the numbers are the highest for six years. The engine manufacturers have been approached and engines which encountered problems were sent for strip examination to pinpoint the cause.

In a case pertaining to a suspected engine fire in an Airbus 320neo aircraft of GoAir in February, the civil aviation ministry has asked the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to probe the incident. The case was initially to be probed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), but the ministry asked DGCA to investigate.

There were conflicting reports as to whether there was a fire in the engine or not. Civil aviation secretary RN Choubey had said that it was a case of engine failure and not fire.

Airbus A320neo planes, which are fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines, are operated by IndiGo and GoAir in India.

The six-year data obtained through the right to information law show only seven aircraft reported engine snags during flights in 2016, said an HT report.

Of the 15 cases so far this year, seven engines were manufactured by CFM International while half a dozen was made by Pratt & Whitney.

According to reports, Pratt & Whitney has acknowledged that there were some issues with the engine, but maintained that none were serious.

The civil aviation has, meanwhile, assured that all aspects of air safety are being looked into.

OneIndia News