India's Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny: DGCA Ordered to Inspect Carriers' Nav Systems
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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has called for a thorough investigation into India's aviation safety following a harrowing near-miss incident involving two IndiGo aircraft over Delhi in 2023. According to the AAIB's final report, the safety margins dropped to alarming levels just moments after takeoff, prompting collision avoidance alerts and averting a potential disaster. As part of its recommendations, the AAIB has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to inspect all scheduled airlines and air navigation services providers to assess their safety management systems. The investigation also highlighted the importance of strict adherence to Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) procedures to prevent accidents when safety margins erode rapidly. The incident occurred on November 17, 2023, when two IndiGo flights, 6E 2113 and 6E 2206, departed from different runways at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport within seconds of each other. The investigation found that one of the aircraft deviated from its planned route, causing a serious loss of separation, but the pilots' timely response to TCAS warnings prevented a collision. The AAIB has also asked IndiGo to take corrective action, including ensuring accurate Flight Management and Guidance System (FMGS) entries, avoiding cockpit disturbances, and enforcing comprehensive cross-checks during training. The report emphasizes the need for operational discipline during simultaneous runway operations at busy airports like Delhi. The incident serves as a wake-up call for India's aviation industry, highlighting the importance of prioritizing safety and adhering to strict protocols to prevent accidents and ensure passenger safety.
