Pulkdahulk
4th Sep 2010, 20:39
NEW DELHI: Pointing out that three of the four main wheels of an aircraft were too worn out for the flight to be operated safely in adverse monsoon conditions has cost a senior commander dear.
Miffed that changing the tyres after the alleged defect was pointed out meant a delay of two hours for the flight, his employer, Air India (domestic), has grounded the pilot.
The airline's contention is that the tyres were not in such a bad condition that the flight should have been delayed, especially in the current environment where on time performance (OTP) is being monitored very closely by aviation authorities.
This safety-versus-OTP debate was sparked exactly a month back on August 4 when the senior commander was doing pre-flight inspection of an Airbus A-320 to operate it as IC 217 on the Kolkata-Hyderabad-Kolkata route.
According to sources, he found that threads were visible in three of the four bogey wheels of the aircraft, indicating they were worn out. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stipulates that tyres should be in good condition for a safe flight, especially in monsoon conditions.
Fearing for flight safety, the commander informed the ground staff which then changed the three tyres. This process took time because of which IC 217 took off two hours after its schedule time of 4.40pm. Since DGCA is monitoring OTP very closely, airlines examine each delay. This delay was also examined and the senior commander, who has been flying for the last 23 years, was asked to give an explanation. Not finding his reply satisfactory, he was issued a show cause and put off flying duty from August 27.
"After the three tyres were changed, our engineering and other departments examined them. They did not find that the tyres were in such a condition that the pilot should have insisted upon changing them then and there, delaying the flight. He was given time to explain his action and only after the same was not found satisfactory, has he been taken off flying duty," said an airline spokesperson.
Pilots of different airlines say such an action will put pressure on them to accept aircraft for flights even if the planes are not 100% fit for flying.
Air India - One big time retards - U see a thread, you changed those tires - He was in the interest of flight safety - He used his 23 years knowledge to the best - And if anything happens to the flight on landing - Its Pilot's fault - he did not do his pre flight inspection properly - and if he does - he is suspended ...WTF :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Miffed that changing the tyres after the alleged defect was pointed out meant a delay of two hours for the flight, his employer, Air India (domestic), has grounded the pilot.
The airline's contention is that the tyres were not in such a bad condition that the flight should have been delayed, especially in the current environment where on time performance (OTP) is being monitored very closely by aviation authorities.
This safety-versus-OTP debate was sparked exactly a month back on August 4 when the senior commander was doing pre-flight inspection of an Airbus A-320 to operate it as IC 217 on the Kolkata-Hyderabad-Kolkata route.
According to sources, he found that threads were visible in three of the four bogey wheels of the aircraft, indicating they were worn out. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stipulates that tyres should be in good condition for a safe flight, especially in monsoon conditions.
Fearing for flight safety, the commander informed the ground staff which then changed the three tyres. This process took time because of which IC 217 took off two hours after its schedule time of 4.40pm. Since DGCA is monitoring OTP very closely, airlines examine each delay. This delay was also examined and the senior commander, who has been flying for the last 23 years, was asked to give an explanation. Not finding his reply satisfactory, he was issued a show cause and put off flying duty from August 27.
"After the three tyres were changed, our engineering and other departments examined them. They did not find that the tyres were in such a condition that the pilot should have insisted upon changing them then and there, delaying the flight. He was given time to explain his action and only after the same was not found satisfactory, has he been taken off flying duty," said an airline spokesperson.
Pilots of different airlines say such an action will put pressure on them to accept aircraft for flights even if the planes are not 100% fit for flying.
Air India - One big time retards - U see a thread, you changed those tires - He was in the interest of flight safety - He used his 23 years knowledge to the best - And if anything happens to the flight on landing - Its Pilot's fault - he did not do his pre flight inspection properly - and if he does - he is suspended ...WTF :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: