The aviation regulator Directorate Common of Civil Aviation has issued discover to a high government of AirAsia India two weeks after considered one of its pilots, who runs a well-liked YouTube channel referred to as “Flying Beast”, alleged violations of security norms by the low-cost airline, senior officers mentioned on Sunday. “A present trigger discover has been issued to Manish Uppal, Head of Operations, AirAsia India after the pilot’s allegations,” a DGCA official mentioned.
An AirAsia India spokesperson mentioned, “AirAsia India confirms receipt of the discover and we’re helping the regulator in its truth discovering course of. We are going to totally cooperate with the regulator.”
Captain Gaurav Taneja, who runs the YouTube channel, tweeted on June 14 that he has been suspended by AirAsia India “for standing up for secure operations of an plane and its passengers”. On June 15, he posted an in depth video on YouTube titled “Causes behind suspension from my pilot job”.
Mr Taneja alleged within the video that the airline has requested its pilots to do 98 per cent of landings in “Flap three” mode, which permits it to save lots of gasoline. He mentioned if a pilot doesn’t do 98 per cent of landings in “Flap three” mode, the airline considers it a violation of its commonplace working process or SOP.
Flaps are a part of wings of an plane and they’re engaged to create a drag throughout a touchdown or a take-off.
Mr Taneja gave the instance of the Imphal airport, the place the aircraft descends extra steeply as in comparison with different airports when approaching for touchdown. He mentioned when an plane is coming down steeply, it must have a drag in order that it stays gradual, and in these circumstances a pilot has to do a “flap full” touchdown.
“As a way to obtain targets, what would individuals do? They may do Flap three landings with out giving consideration whether or not it’s secure or unsafe. This instantly impacts the passenger security,” he mentioned in his YouTube video.
If one thing occurs throughout a Flap three touchdown, then the query could be requested to the pilot if she or he cares extra about saving gasoline or 180 passengers’ lives, Mr Taneja mentioned.
On June 15, the DGCA mentioned on Twitter that it had taken be aware of the issues raised by some stakeholders “in opposition to a specific airline and its method to security”.
“DGCA has already began an investigation into the problems flagged and shall take applicable motion primarily based on the result of the mentioned investigation,” it added.
Senior DGCA officers had confirmed on June 15 itself that AirAsia India was below investigation after Mr Taneja’s allegations.
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