Air India plane grounded as DGCA finds overdue slide inspection

An Air India aircraft was recently grounded by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after it was found that a mandatory safety inspection of its emergency evacuation slide had not been carried out on time. The aviation regulator flagged the issue during a routine audit, pointing to a lapse in maintenance protocol that could potentially compromise passenger safety. The DGCA’s intervention led to the immediate grounding of the aircraft until the overdue check is completed and cleared by authorities.

The emergency slide is a critical component of an aircraft’s safety equipment, designed to facilitate quick evacuation of passengers during emergencies. International aviation standards require these slides to undergo periodic checks and servicing to ensure they function properly when deployed. According to sources, the specific Air India aircraft had missed its scheduled slide inspection deadline by several days, which is considered a serious violation under current safety regulations.

Officials from Air India confirmed the grounding but stated that the aircraft was not in active operation at the time of inspection. The airline added that it is working swiftly to conduct the necessary checks and return the aircraft to service. A spokesperson emphasized that safety remains the highest priority for the airline and that the oversight was being thoroughly reviewed to ensure such lapses do not occur in the future.

The DGCA has reportedly issued a show-cause notice to Air India, seeking an explanation for the lapse and details on internal mechanisms that failed to flag the overdue inspection. The regulatory body is also likely to review the airline’s broader maintenance schedule and audit records to assess compliance with safety norms. Depending on the findings, Air India could face further regulatory action or penalties.

This incident comes at a time when India’s aviation sector is under close scrutiny following a series of minor but high-profile safety incidents involving multiple carriers. The DGCA has been increasing its surveillance and conducting surprise checks to ensure that airlines are adhering strictly to operational safety and maintenance standards.

Aviation experts have expressed concern over the incident, calling it a reminder of the need for robust internal safety audits and automated tracking systems to manage compliance with scheduled inspections. “In today’s age, there is little room for manual oversight. Every critical component’s inspection should be tracked digitally, with alerts built into the system,” said one former airline safety officer.