aviation safety Archives - Page 14 of 24

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched a formal investigation after it was found to have operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The lapse was discovered during a routine night‑halt inspection by an engineer, who noticed the aircraft’s ARC had expired. The certificate is mandatory to ensure the aircraft meets maintenance and safety standards before any flight. DGCA officials confirmed the aircraft had flown eight “revenue sectors” on 24–25 November 2025, despite the absence of a valid ARC. Flying without this certificate is considered a serious compliance violation as it directly pertains to flight safety. Following the discovery, DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft and suspended all personnel responsible for approving its release to service pending the outcome of the investigation. The regulator has also instructed Air India to conduct an internal compliance audit to identify systemic gaps and prevent future lapses. In a statement, Air India acknowledged the incident, calling it “regrettable.” The airline said it self-reported the breach to DGCA, suspended the staff involved, and initiated its own internal investigation. It reaffirmed its commitment to strict safety and regulatory compliance. Operating an aircraft without a valid airworthiness certificate poses significant safety risks and could potentially impact insurance coverage for the aircraft, including hull, liability, and passenger insurance. It has been described as a Level‑1 violation, the most serious type of compliance failure concerning aircraft safety standards. The aircraft was part of the former Vistara fleet, which merged with Air India in late 2024. After the merger, DGCA renewed ARCs for 69 of 70 aircraft. The 70th aircraft, which later operated eight sectors, had undergone an engine change, during which its ARC expired. Despite this, it was mistakenly released into service. DGCA’s inquiry will determine whether penalties, fines, or further actions against responsible personnel are warranted. Air India’s internal investigation will also examine systemic compliance gaps and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Aviation Today News Desk / December 3, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched […]

Manchester, United Kingdom: An Emirates Airbus A380 was grounded at Manchester Airport after a fuel truck struck the aircraft during ground operations, forcing the airline to cancel its scheduled return service to Dubai. The aircraft resumed operations after undergoing inspections and repairs, according to multiple aviation industry reports. The incident occurred on 28 November 2025, shortly after the superjumbo had arrived from Dubai operating flight EK17. While parked at the gate during turnaround preparations for its return flight EK18, a fuel truck made contact with one of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent engines, damaging the engine intake cowling. Initial reports confirmed that the aircraft, registered A6-EVP, sustained visible structural damage to the engine intake area. Despite the impact, no injuries were reported, and airport emergency protocols were not triggered. Due to the damage, Emirates cancelled flight EK18, leaving the aircraft grounded at Manchester for detailed technical inspection. Engineers assessed the aircraft on site to determine whether the damage extended beyond the intake structure. According to follow-up reports, Emirates completed essential repairs within two days. The A380 returned to active service on 30 November 2025, operating as flight EK20 from Manchester to Dubai, restoring normal wide-body operations on the route. Industry analysts noted that while the damage was limited, even minor engine intake deformation on an A380 requires immediate grounding due to strict safety regulations governing wide-body aircraft and high-bypass turbofans. As of the latest update, neither Emirates nor Manchester Airport has released an official statement confirming the root cause of the collision, and no public details have emerged regarding whether the fuel truck driver or ground-handling agency faced disciplinary action.

Incidents

Fuel Truck Hits Emirates A380 At Manchester Airport, UK To Dubai Flight Cancelled

Aviation Today News Desk / December 2, 2025

Manchester, United Kingdom: An Emirates Airbus A380 was grounded at Manchester Airport after a fuel truck struck the aircraft during

Wedderburn, Australia: A veteran Australian aerobatic pilot was killed after two light aircraft collided mid-air during a formation flight near Napperfield Airfield in Wedderburn, southwest of Sydney, on November 30, 2025, authorities confirmed. Both aircraft involved were Van’s RV-7 single-engine planes participating in a four-aircraft formation flight. The collision occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time as the group was returning to land. One aircraft crashed into nearby bushland and was destroyed on impact. Emergency services reached the scene shortly after but pronounced the pilot dead at the site. The second aircraft, despite suffering damage, managed to land safely at the airfield, and its pilot was not injured. The deceased pilot was identified as Eddie Seve, a highly regarded aerobatic flyer and the founder of the Freedom Formation Display Team, one of Australia’s best-known civilian precision-flying groups. Seve was the sole occupant of the aircraft that crashed. Eyewitnesses told investigators that the planes were flying in close proximity moments before the collision. One witness told reporters that one aircraft appeared to pull away moments before impact, followed by a loud bang. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched a formal investigation into the accident. Investigators will examine the wreckage, review flight-tracking data, maintenance records, pilot qualifications, and weather conditions at the time of the incident. Police established multiple cordons around both the crash site and the airfield to assist with the investigation. Tributes poured in from across the aviation community following confirmation of Seve’s death. Fellow pilots and aviation organisations described him as a dedicated mentor and a key figure in promoting formation flying and youth participation in aviation. Seve had recently performed at the Gold Coast Airshow, highlighting his active role in the aerobatics circuit. Authorities have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or captured video footage to assist the investigation as efforts continue to determine the precise cause of the mid-air crash.

Aircraft Crashes

Renowned Aerobatic Pilot Eddie Seve Killed In Mid-Air Crash In Australia During Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / December 1, 2025

Wedderburn, Australia: A veteran Australian aerobatic pilot was killed after two light aircraft collided mid-air during a formation flight near

Airbus

Airbus Orders Global Recall of 6,000 A320s Following Serious Mid-Air Control Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / November 29, 2025

Toulouse, France: Airbus has issued an urgent global recall of its A320 family aircraft after a serious mid-air flight-control incident

New Delhi, India: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Ahmedabad made a precautionary return to the national capital shortly after take-off on Thursday after a smoke indication alert was triggered in the aircraft’s cargo hold. All passengers and crew were safely deboarded, and the alert was later confirmed to be false. The incident involved Flight AI2939, which departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport for Ahmedabad with around 170 people onboard. Moments after take-off, the cockpit crew received a smoke warning from the cargo compartment and immediately followed emergency safety procedures, aborting the climb and turning back to Delhi. The aircraft landed safely without any injuries or technical damage. Air India engineers conducted a detailed inspection after landing and found no trace of smoke or fire, confirming that the alert was a technical false indication. In an official statement, Air India said the flight crew acted strictly as per standard operating procedures and prioritised passenger safety. The airline arranged an alternate aircraft to ferry the affected passengers to Ahmedabad, resulting in a delay of approximately four hours. “Passenger safety is always our top priority. Our ground team ensured immediate assistance and alternative travel arrangements for all passengers,” an Air India spokesperson said, apologising for the inconvenience. A day before the Delhi-Ahmedabad Air India incident, an Air India Express flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad, IX 2884, was cancelled after being delayed for over four hours due to what the airline termed “unforeseen operational reasons.

Incidents

Air India Delhi–Ahmedabad Flight Returns After Smoke Alert, All Passengers Remain Safe

Aviation Today News Desk / November 28, 2025

New Delhi, India: An Air India flight operating from Delhi to Ahmedabad made a precautionary return to the national capital

New Orleans, United States: The United States Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for two pilots missing after a small training aircraft crashed into Lake Pontchartrain earlier this week. Authorities ended active operations after nearly 45 hours of continuous air and water searches, covering more than 770 square miles, with no survivors found. Coast Guard officials said the decision was made after all reasonable search efforts were exhausted. The aircraft, a Cessna 172 operated by Apollo Flight Training of Gulfport, Mississippi, was conducting a training flight on Monday evening when it disappeared from radar about four miles from New Orleans Lakefront Airport. The flight was carrying a female instructor and a male student, working toward commercial aviation careers. According to company owner Michael Carastro, the instructor and student were both in their mid-20s. The instructor reportedly had accumulated around 1,300 flight hours roughly 200 hours shy of the threshold required to qualify for airline duty. The student had been pursuing his commercial and instrument rating. Carastro emphasised that the aircraft was regularly maintained and “up to regulation standards,” and said there was no distress call before contact was lost. He called the crash “an unbelievable tragedy,” noting that in his decades-long experience as a pilot and instructor, he had never before encountered anything like this. Search crews earlier recovered limited debris, including parts believed to be from the aircraft. No distress call was received before radar contact was lost. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate the crash once additional wreckage is located. The flight school has stated that the aircraft was properly maintained and had no known mechanical issues prior to departure.

Aircraft Crashes

US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Two Missing Pilots In Lake Pontchartrain Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

New Orleans, United States: The United States Coast Guard has officially suspended its search for two pilots missing after a

New Zealand

NZ Launches New Aviation Sandbox To Speed Up Testing Of Emerging Aerospace Technologies

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

Wellington, New Zealand: The New Zealand Government has introduced a new civil aviation rule aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and accelerating innovation

Vilnius, Lithuania: A regional jet operated by LOT Polish Airlines slid off the taxiway at Vilnius Airport today, forcing a temporary closure of the runway. All 63 passengers and four crew members on board disembarked safely, and no injuries have been reported, airport and airline officials confirmed. The aircraft involved was an Embraer E170 (registration SP-LDK), operating flight LO771 from Warsaw (Poland) to Vilnius (Lithuania). The flight landed at 13:43 local time (runway 01) without apparent issues. However, while taxiing toward the stand, the aircraft veered off the paved surface sliding onto the northern side of the airfield. Flight-tracking records show the plane had slowed to under 30 knots before the final taxiway turn but nevertheless “continued straight,” failing to make the turn and leaving the paved taxiway surface. Emergency services including fire and ground-handling teams responded immediately. Passengers disembarked via mobile stairs and were safely transported to the terminal. No injuries or medical emergencies have been reported. The airline confirmed the return flight, LO772 from Vilnius to Warsaw, has been cancelled pending technical inspection. LOT’s technical team, together with airport authorities, is assessing the aircraft and runway condition before any further operations resume. Following the incident, Vilnius Airport under the authority of Lithuanian Airports (LTOU) issued a NOTAM and closed its runway, suspending all arrivals and departures. Initial estimates suggested resumption by 17:00 local time, but the closure was later extended until at least 22:00 as recovery and inspection work continued. The closure has affected other scheduled flights. Passengers on flights due to depart or arrive during the shutdown were advised to contact their airlines for updated schedules. The incident occurred amid heavy, wet snowfall in Vilnius part of a broader winter weather surge across Lithuania. The buildup of snow and slush likely contributed to poor friction on taxiway/runway surfaces. Meteorological warnings had been issued earlier, cautioning travelers about hazardous conditions. While the exact cause has not yet been determined, local media and aviation-safety observers have highlighted slippery surfaces from snow and wet slush as plausible contributing factors. Immediately after the incident, the airport’s Emergency Commission convened a meeting. The gathering included the transport minister, justice-department officials, and LTOU management, signaling the start of a formal investigation. Authorities have yet to publish a preliminary report. The investigation is expected to examine multiple aspects including runway/taxiway surface condition, snow/ice removal procedures, friction measurements, aircraft handling during taxi, and possible human or technical errors.

Incidents

LOT Polish Airlines Jet Slides Off Taxiway At Vilnius Airport, Runway Shut After Snow

Aviation Today News Desk / November 27, 2025

Vilnius, Lithuania: A regional jet operated by LOT Polish Airlines slid off the taxiway at Vilnius Airport today, forcing a

transparent reporting and genuine implementation by airlines. New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue, signalling a shift in the regulator’s approach from mere duty-hour limits to systemic fatigue-risk management. The DGCA initiated this crackdown after an audit of all scheduled airlines found that many operators were uncertain about the scope and content of “annual fatigue training.” Officials noted that fatigue-reports from crew members had not been reaching DGCA for several months, especially following the implementation of the first phase of revised duty and rest norms on July 1, 2025. Under the broader regulatory overhaul of 2025, the DGCA had already increased the minimum weekly rest period for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and set stricter limits on night duty, night-landing frequency and consecutive night flights. Still, regulators found that merely limiting duty-hours was not enough fatigue risk persisted when scheduling, rostering and crew-management systems failed to account for real-world operational stresses. The new circular aims to close that gap. The new measures mean that airlines must now build internal processes, not just comply with hours-based restrictions. Mandatory training for schedulers/dispatchers, a fatigue-reporting system, and a review committee these steps aim to ensure safety proactively, rather than reactive incident-based enforcement. For flight-crew, this may encourage a culture of openness about fatigue; the quarterly reporting system and independent review could reduce pressure on pilots to “tough it out.” For airlines, compliance will demand more than roster-planning operators will need to implement fatigue-awareness training, document reporting and follow-up, and coordinate across departments (scheduling, operations, HR). The November 25 circular builds on changes introduced earlier in 2025. In February, DGCA told the court that a revised framework for flight duty time limitation (FDTL) would be phased in from July 1, with full implementation by November 1. Under that framework: weekly rest was raised to 48 hours, night-duty definitions were revised, and caps placed on night landings and consecutive night flights. Simultaneously, DGCA released a draft “Fatigue Risk Management System” (FRMS), offering airlines a performance-based alternative to prescriptive duty-hour limits if operators can demonstrate through data that fatigue risk remains low. However, the regulator clarified that adoption of FRMS would remain optional; airlines may choose to continue under the standard duty-hour/rest rules.

Pilots

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

Aviation Today News Desk / November 26, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue,

Fiji

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

Aviation Today News Desk / November 24, 2025

Suva, Fiji: The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) has ordered Sunflower Aviation to shut down its operations after the

aviation safety

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Fuel Truck Hits Emirates A380 At Manchester Airport, UK To Dubai Flight Cancelled

Renowned Aerobatic Pilot Eddie Seve Killed In Mid-Air Crash In Australia During Flight

Airbus Orders Global Recall of 6,000 A320s Following Serious Mid-Air Control Issue

Air India Delhi–Ahmedabad Flight Returns After Smoke Alert, All Passengers Remain Safe

US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Two Missing Pilots In Lake Pontchartrain Crash

NZ Launches New Aviation Sandbox To Speed Up Testing Of Emerging Aerospace Technologies

LOT Polish Airlines Jet Slides Off Taxiway At Vilnius Airport, Runway Shut After Snow

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

Fiji Regulator Orders Sunflower Aviation To Cease Operations Over Compliance Issues

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