DGCA Suspends Pilot for Allowing Friend Into Cockpit, Air India Fined Rs 30 Lakh

Aviation regulator DGCA has suspended a pilot for allowing a female friend in the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27 and imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for lapses in addressing a "safety sensitive issue" related to the incident.

"During the operation of Air India Flight Al-915 (Delhi-Dubai) of 27.02.2023, the Pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into Cockpit during cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as passenger, in violation of DGCA regulations. Air India has been fined Rs Thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue," the DGCA said in a statement.

The CEO of Air India received a complaint in this regard from one of the operating crew members of the flight, but the organisation did not take prompt corrective action, the DGCA said. As a result, the complainant approached the aviation regulator.

"DGCA based on the outcome of its investigation has taken the following actions- (1) The pilot License of the PIC has been suspended for a period of three months for misuse of his authority vested under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and allowing violation of the applicable DGCA regulations.

(2)The Copilot has been warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation. (3) Air India has been directed to take administrative action against the Staff on Duty/Passenger including removing from any Managerial functions in the organization for a specified period," the statement added.