DGCA Demands Pilot Explanation for Air India Boeing 787 Safety Lapses

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a stern show-cause notice to the cockpit crew of Air India. The notice addresses serious safety lapses and compliance failures on multiple international flights. The aviation watchdog has demanded an explanation from the pilots within two weeks. Failure to respond could lead to enforcement action under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).

Details of the Regulatory Notice

The notice was officially issued on December 29, 2025. It targets the flight crew who operated the Delhi-Tokyo (AI-358) and Tokyo-Delhi (AI-357) sectors. The specific aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANI. The regulator flagged several serious concerns. These issues relate to aircraft dispatch, adherence to the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) compliance, and flight crew decision-making.

The DGCA stated the aircraft was operated despite being aware of serious compliance lapses. The pilots allegedly accepted the aircraft for flight. They did so even with prior knowledge of repeated snags and existing system degradations.

Violations and Repetitive Technical Snags

The core of the DGCA’s concern is the operation of an aircraft with incompatible Minimum Equipment List items. The MEL is a critical document. It lists equipment that may be inoperative for a flight to proceed safely.

The regulator found that repetitive technical snags linked to the same systems had been recorded. This pattern was observed across at least five previous sectors. This indicated a known history of system degradation. One flight, AI-358, reportedly had a smell of smoke near the R2 door. Another flight on June 28, 2025, had to be diverted to Kolkata. This was due to persistently warm cabin temperatures.

Flight Crew Decision-Making

The DGCA notice specifically highlights the crew's failure to adhere to safety protocols. The operating crew allegedly accepted the Boeing aircraft without fully understanding the MEL limitations. They also did not adequately assess the combined operational and safety impact of multiple inoperative systems. This critical assessment is a mandatory requirement under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). The regulator views this as a serious breach of aviation safety standards.

Broader Context of Aviation Safety Oversight

This show-cause notice is part of a broader push for aviation safety oversight in India. The DGCA is increasing its scrutiny of airline operations. This notice is not an isolated event for Air India. The airline is currently facing multiple internal and external probes.

For instance, a separate incident occurred on December 23, 2025. An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver Airport (YVR) in Canada. This happened before operating flight AI186 to Delhi. The pilot allegedly failed an alcohol test. Air India has a zero-tolerance policy for such violations. The pilot was immediately taken off flying duties pending an inquiry. These back-to-back incidents put a spotlight on crew compliance and the airline's internal safety culture. Such regulatory actions are vital for maintaining public confidence in commercial aviation news and operations. The DGCA’s move underscores its commitment to enforcing strict safety standards. The entire industry watches for the airline's official response to the regulator's two-week deadline. For more updates on this developing story, visit [flying.flights].