What Is Airworthiness Certificate — And How An Air India's Airbus A320 Flew Without One

Tata Group-operated Air India flew an Airbus A320 eight times with an expired airworthiness license between Nov. 24 and 25, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The lapse was noticed only after an engineer checked the records, following which the aircraft was grounded.

Subsequently, the DGCA has started an investigation into the incident. The regulator may impose strict penalties on the airline and responsible officials, the report added. Meanwhile, Air India has reportedly suspended the staff involved. It has also launched an internal inquiry.

What Is Airworthiness Certificate?

The Certificate of Airworthiness is issued yearly by the DGCA after checks confirm a plane is safe to fly. Operating any flight without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness is a serious violation. If found guilty, Air India may face heavy penalties and possible suspensions of senior officials, a government source told the publication. 

According to a DGCA official, airlines typically start the work of renewal of their certificates at least three months before the due date to ensure timely renewal. After daily operations, an engineer checks the aircraft during the night halt and verifies all approvals. In this case, the A320 flew eight times with an expired licence, which raises serious concerns about the airline's safety culture, the ET report added.

As part of the airworthiness review, the airline is required to verify that the airframe, engines and propellers must have their flying hours and flight cycles accurately recorded. Moreover, all prescribed maintenance tasks must be completed and airlines should correct or document any known defects with the aircraft, among other critical factors, as per the DGCA guidelines.  

Notably, Air India has an in-house Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO), the responsible unit for the task.

What Air India Said?

Confirming the incident, Air India said, "An incident involving one of our aircraft operating without an airworthiness review certificate is regrettable."

"As soon as this came to our notice, it was duly reported to the DGCA and all personnel associated with the decision have been placed under suspension, pending further review," the carrier's spokesperson told NDTV Profit.

While DGCA teams do make spot checks of aircraft, it is the operator's responsibility to keep each aircraft in an airworthy state.