DGCA hauls up AI pilots over safety issues

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has issued a show-cause notice to pilots of Air India following serious safety concerns linked to the operation of certain flights. According to the notice dated December 29, 2025, the issues relate mainly to Flight AI-358 and its related operations, including Flight AI-357.The regulator has asked the pilots to explain within 14 days why action should not be taken against them for alleged violations of aviation safety rules.During one of the flights, the crew reportedly received system warnings and a smell of smoke was detected near one of the aircraft doors. Records also show that similar technical problems had occurred on the same aircraft during five earlier flights, pointing to a continuing mechanical issue.Despite these warning signs, the aircraft, registered as VT-ANI, was allowed to operate even though some of its safety equipment did not meet the required standards. The regulator said the aircraft was cleared for flight in violation of safety rules and that the pilots accepted the aircraft for operation despite being aware of the repeated problems and system weaknesses.The show-cause notice from the DGCA further claimed that the crew understood the safety limits of the aircraft and yet did not properly consider the combined effect of several faulty systems on overall flight safety.