90 SpiceJet pilots are barred by the DGCA, India’s Aviation Regulator from flying the Boeing 737 Max aircraft after detecting them not properly trained.
DGCA chief Arun Kumar said in a statement “For the moment, we have barred these pilots from flying the Max and they have to retrain successfully for flying the aircraft.”
Kumar also said that the regulator will take “strict action against those found responsible for the lapse.” The SpiceJet pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.
Boeing 737 Max planes grounded by India
The Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA on March 13, 2019, three days after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft near Addis Ababa, which killed 157 people, including four Indians.
The ban on the planes was lifted in August last year after the DGCA was satisfied with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s necessary software rectifications in the aircraft.
Proper pilot training on the simulator was also among the conditions of the DGCA for removing the ban on the Max planes after a span of 27 months.
A SpiceJet spokesperson today confirmed that the DGCA has restricted 90 pilots of the airline from flying the Max planes.
