The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe into a tailstrike incident involving an IndiGo flight that occurred on September 9 during takeoff from Delhi, bound for Bengaluru. A senior official at the DGCA confirmed that the flight crew responsible for the incident has been derostered pending the outcome of the investigation. The affected aircraft, an Airbus A321, is currently grounded in Bengaluru for necessary maintenance and repairs. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, confirmed the occurrence and assured that the plane would return to operation after all required safety measures are met.
Tailstrikes, while relatively rare, pose significant safety risks, as they occur when an aircraft’s tail contacts the runway during takeoff or landing. This incident has raised concerns about operational safety, with the DGCA taking immediate steps to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted. IndiGo’s safety protocols are now under scrutiny, as the airline is expected to collaborate with authorities to establish the cause of the event. Such incidents not only affect the airline’s reputation but can also lead to potential operational delays, as seen with the grounding of the aircraft involved.
This latest event underscores the importance of stringent safety standards in the rapidly expanding aviation industry in India. According to the DGCA, any procedural or operational lapses discovered during the investigation could result in further corrective actions, including potential changes in crew training or maintenance protocols. With a growing number of daily flights, maintaining high standards of flight safety is critical, particularly for an airline like IndiGo, which carries a large percentage of India’s domestic air traffic.
