Parliament Question: Tail-strike incident at Chennai International airport

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 965 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th February 2026 TAIL-STRIKE INCIDENT AT CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 965. DR. M. DHANAPAL Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the DGCA has completed its investigation into the recent tail-strike incident involving an IndiGo aircraft at Chennai International airport; (b) if so, the key findings of the investigation and the identified causes of the incident; (c) details of the remedial or corrective actions that have been directed to be carried out by the airline and airport authorities; and (d) the measures that are being implemented to ensure continued safety and prevent recurrence of such incidents at the Chennai aviation hub? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): On 08.03.2025, M/s Indigo aircraft was involved in tail strike incident at Chennai. The occurrence is classified as serious incident by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The investigation is under progress. The report will be published on AAIB website with the conclusion drawn. Following steps are taken by DGCA to enhance the aviation safety ensuring safe operations on a regular basis: (i) DGCA has a systematic safety oversight mechanism for monitoring compliance of Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements encompassing all aircraft and airport operators. The safety oversight process includes surveillances, spot check and regulatory audits. In addition, special audits are also carried out as per the risk perceived. (ii) DGCA publishes Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) on its website. Each directorate conduct surveillance/spot checks in their respective technical areas as per the ASP.(iii) Findings of audits, surveillances & spot checks are followed up with concerned operator for compliance. The observations are closed after due verification. Further, the compliance of action taken by operator is verified during next audit/surveillance. (iv) In case of any violations/ non-compliance to regulations detected during audit/surveillance, enforcement action including financial penalty is imposed by DGCA. (v) To meet minimum Acceptable Level of Safety (ALoS), DGCA has established National Aviation Safety Plan containing "operational safety risk". ******