Parliament Question: Inspection of aircrafts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1775 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026 INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFTS 1775. SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether a complete audit of all aircrafts operating in the country is being undertaken, especially in view of the recent accidents involving Air India and private chartered aircraft; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether airlines operating in the country have commenced such audits of their respective aircrafts; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether Government is aware that there has been an incident where aircraft flew without the necessary airworthiness certificate; (f) if so, the details thereof; (g) the authority responsible for clearing it; and (h) the measures taken by Government for ensuring the robustness of the existing inspection systems of the aircrafts? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): Following the accident of M/s Air India flight, the entire fleet of 33 Boeing 787 (787-8/9) aircraft were inspected. Recently, a special audit drive is being conducted by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) covering Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOPs) in two phases. In the first phase from 09.02.2026 to 25.02.2026, a total of 14 NSOPs having large fleets were audited, and balance will be audited in second phase. As per the laid-down Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), Operators/Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) are required to maintain an internal quality system which conductsperiodic audits of the organisation covering areas such as manpower, facilities, tools and equipment, and aircraft condition. The compliance reports by the organisation are subsequently reviewed by DGCA officers during surveillance or regulatory audits to verify that appropriate corrective actions have been taken against the identified findings. (e) to (g): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is aware of the incident. DGCA has conducted a detailed investigation to determine the root cause of the occurrence. Based on the findings of the investigation, enforcement action like financial penalty, withdrawal of approval of Continuing Airworthiness Manager, Deputy Continuing Airworthiness Manager, Chief Manager planning and suspension of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer has been taken for the lapse. (h): DGCA inspect the aircraft during initial issuance of Certificate of Airworthiness, Aircraft review certificate and noise certificate. DGCA also inspect the aircraft of NSOPs during renewal of ARC, spot checks, night surveillance and during special audit as and when mandated. ******