DGCA suspends approval for Bhopal-based International Aircraft Sales following safety audit
Given the gravity of the safety concerns, the DGCA has suspended the maintenance organisation approval of International Aircraft Sales with immediate effect.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the approval for Bhopal-based aircraft maintenance organisation, International Aircraft Sales Pvt Ltd, due to concerns over its compliance with regulatory standards, PTI reported.
The suspension follows a recent audit prompted by an incident on August 11, where a Cessna 152 aircraft, VT-BBB, operated by Belagavi Aviation and Sport Enterprises, crashed in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, due to engine failure. The engine that failed had undergone an overhaul at International Aircraft Sales, and the crash occurred during its first flight after the overhaul.
In response to the incident, DGCA conducted a special audit of the organisation, which revealed significant issues with its maintenance standards. “The findings of the audit have raised serious concerns on the maintenance standards being followed by the organisation,” DGCA stated in an official release on Thursday.
Given the gravity of the safety concerns, the DGCA has suspended the maintenance organisation approval of International Aircraft Sales with immediate effect.
This action is reminiscent of last year’s suspension of Red Bird Flight Training Academy Pvt Ltd’s operations across all its bases, following serious incidents involving its aircraft. The academy’s operations were only restored after a comprehensive recertification of its maintenance facilities, DGCA added in the release.
