DGCA calls for checks on 23 SpiceJet planes

Days after the US aviation regulator ordered an inspection of Boeing 737 aircraft for structural cracks in some parts of the aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a similar exercise, which will affect budget carrier SpiceJet, a senior official said, requesting anonymity.

DGCA will inspect 23 Boeing 737 planes—both passenger and freight aircraft, operated by SpiceJet, the DGCA official added.

“If the planes are found to be in order, aircraft will be released. Else, these planes will be grounded till they are repaired.”

On September 27, Reuters reported that the US’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered operators of some Boeing 737 NG jetliners to conduct inspections for structural cracks and make repairs, as needed, following the discovery of cracks on a small number of planes. The FAA said Boeing notified the agency of the issue after it discovered the cracks while conducting modifications on a heavily used aircraft, the Reuters report said.

Interestingly, the checks will be conducted only on heavily used Boeing 737 planes and not on the recently inducted aircraft. Only those aircraft, which have done over 26,000 flight cycles (FC), will be inspected, the DGCA official said.

SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India Express operate Boeing 737 planes in India.

SpiceJet and Vistara also operate Boeing 737 fleet, which was earlier operated by Jet Airways.

“Boeing noticed the crack on 737-800 and 737-900 planes that had done over 36,000 FC. The regulators have decided to inspect only those aircraft that have conducted over 26,000 FC. However, at the moment, none of Vistara planes have reached that mark, so inspections will not be carried out on the airline’s planes,” said a Vistara official, requesting anonymity.

An Air India Express official said its fleet of Boeing 737 fleet haven’t crossed the 26,000 FC mark yet. RHIK KUNDU