After frequent mid-air glitches, DGCA probe finds no major safety issue with SpiceJet

The Centre on Monday (July 25) told Rajya Sabha that they have not found any major safety issue with SpiceJet after spot checks. The government informed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted 53 spot checks on 48 SpiceJet planes between July 9 and July 13.

SpiceJet flights had made headlines for frequent technical glitches occurring in its systems prompting a delay or cancellation of flights. Following 8 glitches in an 18-day period from June 19, the DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airliner saying that their "poor internal safety oversight" and "inadequate maintenance actions" have resulted in the glitches. 

While the Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh said that the DGCA found no major safety issue, he also clarified that for safety purposes the regulatory body has decided to ground 10 SpiceJet flights. SpiceJet has been asked to perform a thorough check on these planes and fix defects if any before operating them.

The DGCA had issued a show-cause notice to SpiceJet over its frequent snags on flights on July 6. And just three days later, the aviation body conducted the checks. SpiceJet was given 3 weeks time to respond to the notice. 

In light of the recent incidences of technical malfunction with regard to @flyspicejet flights in the last 18 days, the @DGCAIndia has issued a show cause notice to the air carrier. pic.twitter.com/1umJSOPhdK

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) July 6, 2022

What happened with SpiceJet flights? There have been one too many incidents involving SpiceJet flights. Here are some:

July 11, 2022: SpiceJet Boeing 737 flight from India to Dubai was found with problems in its nose wheel upon landing, Bloomberg reported. However, SpiceJet denied any safety scare.

July 10, 2022: Chennai-Shirdi flight's windshield cracked after take-off, media reports claimed, but SpiceJet refuted the reports. 

July 5, 2022: Unscheduled landing in Karachi, Pakistan on a Delhi to Dubai flight. It was not called an emergency landing. Reports vary on the cause, some say it was due to a suspected fuel leak and others say it was due to an indicator light malfunctioning. 

#SpiceJetStatement: On July 5, 2022, SpiceJet B737 aircraft operating flight SG-11 (Delhi - Dubai) was diverted to Karachi due to an indicator light malfunctioning. The aircraft landed safely at Karachi and passengers were safely disembarked. >>

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) July 5, 2022

July 2, 2022: Delhi to Jabalpur flight made an emergency landing as cabin pressure couldn't be built up and the crew noticed smoke in the cabin. 

#SpiceJetStatement:
On July 2, 2022, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft was operating SG-2962 (Delhi-Jabalpur). While passing 5000ft, the crew noticed smoke in the cabin. The pilots decided to return back to Delhi. Aircraft landed safely at Delhi and passengers were safely disembarked. >>

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) July 2, 2022

May 4, 2022: Mid-air engine shut-off forced Chennai to Durgapur flight to turn back after take-off. 

May 1, 2022: Mumbai to Jabalpur flight runs into turbulence before landing injuring several passengers. 

It's not just the recent technical snags on flights for which SpiceJet has been getting bad press, the airliner has not been in great books of flyers either. Flyers have frequently complained of flight delays and cancellations.