After 3 Technical Snags In 24 Hours, DGCA Issues Show-Cause Notice To SpiceJet

SpiceJet Flight Incidents: This is the eighth incident of technical malfunction happening on SpiceJet aircraft in the last 18 days.

A SpiceJet aircraft takes off past another on the tarmac at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata

Source : AFP

New Delhi: After three technical or related snags were reported in SpiceJet's aircraft in a span of over 24 hours, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice in connection to the budget carrier with the degradation of the safety margins of its aircraft. DGCA issued the show cause notice after eight malfunction incidents have been reported in the last 18 days. DGCA in its notice mentioned that SpiceJet has failed to establish safe, efficient and reliable air services under Aircraft Rules, 1937.

Following DGCA's notice to SpiceJet, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said: "Passenger safety is paramount. Even the smallest error hindering safety will be thoroughly investigated and course-corrected."

Passenger safety is paramount. Even the smallest error hindering safety will be thoroughly investigated & course-corrected. https://t.co/UD1dJb05wS

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 6, 2022

Meanwhile, DGCA's audit of SpiceJet in September 2021 found component suppliers not being paid on regular basis leading to a shortage of spares.

Reacting to the development, SpiceJet said all its aircraft were audited a month ago by the aviation regulator and found to be safe. "We'll be responding within a specified time period and are committed to ensuring a safe operation for our passengers and crew. We are an IATA-IOSA-certified airline," the airline said.

"SpiceJet successfully completed audit program for recertification in October 2021. We've been regularly audited by DGCA. All flights of SpiceJet are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations of DGCA Civil Aviation Regulations on the subject," SpiceJet said.

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A SpiceJet cargo aircraft headed to Chongqing on July 6 had to return to Kolkata airport after a glitch was detected in its weather radar following take-off. 

On July 5, SpiceJet's Delhi-Dubai flight was diverted to Karachi due to a malfunctioning fuel indicator and its Kandla-Mumbai flight did a priority landing in Mumbai after cracks developed on its windshield mid-air.

On June 19, an engine on a Delhi-bound aircraft carrying 185 passengers caught fire soon after the takeoff from Patna airport. The engine malfunctioned because of a bird hit. In another incident on June 19, a flight for Jabalpur had to return to Delhi due to cabin pressurisation issues.