In response to a recent increase in aviation incidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced strict measures to uphold a zero-tolerance stance on safety compromises within the Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOP) sector. The DGCA called for a meeting with all NSOPs following a tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand that claimed the lives of all seven individuals on board. Notably, the DGCA is set to enforce a mandatory disclosure policy requiring NSOP operators to provide critical safety information on their websites, such as aircraft age, maintenance history, and pilot experience.
The aviation regulator also plans to introduce a safety ranking system for non-scheduled operators and make the criteria for these rankings publicly available on the DCA website. Moreover, enhanced random Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) audits and cross-verification of ADS-B data, fuel records, and technical logs will be conducted to identify unauthorized operations or data falsification. Accountable managers and senior leadership will be personally liable for systemic non-compliances, emphasizing that safety lapses cannot be solely attributed to pilots.
Pilots who breach Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) or attempt unsafe landings could face license suspensions of up to 5 years, while operators failing to meet compliance standards may incur penalties or have their licenses/permits revoked. The DGCA will intensify monitoring of older aircraft and those undergoing ownership changes, and NSOPs with in-house Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities will undergo audits. Operators deemed inadequate will be mandated to outsource maintenance to approved organizations.
The regulator highlighted that weather-related accidents often stem from poor judgment rather than unpredictable weather conditions. To address this, operators must establish real-time weather update systems and strictly adhere to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Additionally, pilot training programs will place greater emphasis on weather awareness strategies and decision-making in uncontrolled environments. Following the initial phase of a special safety audit of SOPs in early March, Phase 2 will commence to assess the remaining NSOPs.
