After going through the flying records of GMR Aviation, the DGCA found evidence of 'false' pre-flight medical checks of pilots and cabin crew
Swinging into action the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday grounded 11 pilots of GMR Aviation for failing to carry out mandated pre-flight tests, especially while flying politicians.
The action by the aviation regulator virtually rendered a large chunk of GMR's aircraft fleet non-operational and leading key politicians to look for alternatives to carry out their ongoing poll campaigning.
The DGCA’s unprecedented move came after the regulator’s team found that several flights operated by GMR Aviation in the last month, including one on Monday when an aircraft flew Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to Bhubaneshwar, had skipped some mandatory tests.
The tests included the pre-flight breath analysis of pilots and cabin crew, with the breathalyser equipment being non-functional.
The non-scheduled charter operator’s documentation and equipment were monitored between 12th and 14 April 2014 and these major lapses were found by the regulator.
After going through the flying records of GMR Aviation during this period, DGCA found evidence of “false” pre-flight medical checks, the sources claimed.
GMR’s Falcon 2000-Lx, one of the most advanced business jets in the country which flew Rahul Gandhi on Monday, is used extensively by the Gandhis, who also use its Hawker—750 airplane and two Bell choppers.
The DGCA issued notices to the 11 pilots and six cabin crew of GMR Aviation as to why they should not be suspended for five years.
The regulator also decided to act against the company’s doctor for issuing pre-flight medical certificates to the crew even when the breathalyser equipment was not working for almost a month, the sources said.
Pre-flight breathalyser tests are mandatory for all flights which are used by SPG-protected Rahul or Sonia Gandhi.
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