Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation addresses aircraft maintenance audits and an Air India flight accident investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts timely, structured surveillance and audits of airline companies' aircraft, as per the Annual Surveillance Plan. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the Air India flight AI171 accident and has published a preliminary report. The DGCA emphasizes adherence to safety guidelines and manufacturer instructions.
Key Points / Main Content:
Maintenance Audits:
* DGCA has a structured surveillance and audit framework, including regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night Surveillance, and ramp inspections.
* Audits are conducted timely as per the pre-prepared Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP).
* The DGCA adheres to an audit calendar for continuous oversight of all airline operators, addressing deviations with urgency.
* Details of maintenance audits conducted for major airlines from January 2023 to July 2025 are available in Annexure A.
Air India Flight AI171 Accident Investigation:
* AAIB is investigating the Air India flight AI171 accident at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025, under Rule 11 of the Aircraft Investigation of Accidents and Incidents Rules, 2017.
* A preliminary report, based on available factual information, has been published on the AAIB website (www.aaib.gov.in).
* The investigation aims to determine the causes of the accident for prevention purposes, without assigning blame.
* Investigations are conducted impartially, adhering to Annex 13 standards.
Safety Guidelines:
* DGCA has established comprehensive guidelines for aircraft operation and maintenance.
* Operators must comply with manufacturer guidelines, including Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and Maintenance Planning Documents (MPDs).
Impact Analysis:
Airline Companies:
* Impact: Subject to regular and periodic maintenance audits by the DGCA. Required to adhere to DGCA and manufacturer guidelines for aircraft maintenance and operation.
* Action Required: Comply with the audit schedule and address any identified deviations promptly. Adhere to manufacturer guidelines, including Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and Maintenance Planning Documents (MPDs).
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):
* Impact: Responsible for conducting timely and structured surveillance and audits of airline companies. Must adhere to the audit calendar and address any deviations urgently.
* Action Required: Continue to execute the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) efficiently and address any rescheduling or deviations promptly.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):
* Impact: Responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents to determine probable causes and contributing factors.
* Action Required: Continue the investigation of the Air India flight AI171 accident in a fair, impartial, and judicious manner, adhering to Annex 13 standards.
Pilots and Ground Crew:
* Impact: Subject to established guidelines to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of aircraft.
* Action Required: Adhere to safety guidelines and manufacturer instructions.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation: The civil aviation authority responsible for regulation of air transport services in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: The agency responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in India.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: City in Gujarat, location of an accident involving Air India flight AI171.
Air India: A major Indian airline that was involved in an accident in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan: State in India, mentioned in the context of flights associated with Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Dausa.
Aircraft Investigation of Accidents Incidents Rules, 2017: Rules under which the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) initiated an investigation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3062
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7th August 2025 )
MAINTENANCE AUDIT OF AIRCRAFTS
3062. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the frequency within which maintenance audits of aircraft of all
airline companies in the country are conducted;
(b) whether these audits are done timely by the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA);
(c) the details of maintenance audits conducted for major airlines
during the last three years viz. from 2022 to 2025 with specific
reference to flights associated with Jaipur, Jodhpur and Dausa in
Rajasthan;
(d) whether the prima facie fault of the pilot of the flight accident
happened in Ahmedabad was announced by foreign media
collaboratively and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether this attitude is against the just and unbiased
investigational principles and demeans the dignity and morale of the
pilots and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(f) whether the Government has issued any new guidelines to
strengthen pre-flight checklists, pilot training and ground crew
responsibilities in order to prevent such accidents and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)(a) & (b) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a
structured surveillance and audit framework in place i.e. planned
and unplanned surveillance of Organisation /Aircrafts, which
includes regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night Surveillance
and ramp inspections across all operators, including continuous
oversight of maintenance practices.
The Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) for the year is prepared in
advance and the audits are conducted in a timely manner as per the
Annual Surveillance Plan. The DGCA adheres to an audit calendar to
ensure continuous oversight of all schedule and non-schedule
airline/operators. Any deviation or rescheduling is addressed with
urgency and reported accordingly.
;
(c) Details of maintenance audits conducted for major airlines
during the last three years across country viz. from 2023 to 2025
(Jan 2023 - July 2025) are attached at Annexure-A.;
;
(d) to (f) Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11
of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017
has instituted investigation to determine the probable
cause(s)/contributory factor(s) leading to the accident of Air India
flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025. ;
;
AAIB has published a preliminary report on its website
www.aaib.gov.in. The preliminary report was prepared based on the
available factual information and it does not contain any
conclusion.;
;
The investigation is ongoing and will examine all the aspects to
determine the probable cause(s)/ contributory factor(s) leading to
the accident. The sole objective of the investigation of an accident
or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents and
not to apportion blame or liability. All investigations under these
Rules are conducted in a fair, impartial and judicious manner,
adhering to the relevant standards of Annex 13.
;DGCA has established comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safe
operation and maintenance of aircraft. Operators are required to
comply with guidelines issued by manufacturers, such as Service
Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and Maintenance Planning
Documents (MPDs).
******ANNEXURE-A
Audit of Scheduled Airlines for last 3 Years (Jan 2023 to July 2025) across
country
2023 2025
2024
S/N AIRLINES (Till
July)
1. M/s Alliance Air 12 06 04
2. M/s Indigo 115 94 54
3. M/s Spicejet 47 50 26
4. M/s Tata Sia Airlines Ltd (Vistara) 46 35 0
5. M/s Air India Ltd 17 30 33
6. M/s Air India Express 13 16 11
7. M/s Akasa Air 19 37 18
TOTAL 269 268 146
*****