Lok Sabha Question No. 2669 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-22
Subject: Technical Snags
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Anto  Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2669

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  22nd December 2022 )

## TECHNICAL SNAGS

## 2669.    SHRI ANTO ANTONY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has any statistics regarding technical snags reported by various airlines in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  the  last  five  years,  year  and airline-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  enquiry  in  such incidents;
- (d) if so, the details of each such case and the action taken against airline operators by the Government;
- (e) whether the use of old aircraft is the main reason for technical snags and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the details of fixed period for use of an aircraft; and
- (g)  whether the Government has any system to monitor the use of old aircraft by airline operators and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

CIVIL  AVIATION

- (a)  &    (b)  An  aircraft  may  experience  technical  snags  due  to malfunctioning  of  components/  equipment  fitted  on  the  aircraft which  require  rectification by  the airlines for  continued  safe,
- efficient  and  reliable  air  transport  service.  These  technical  snags are reported by the flight crew on receiving an aural/ visual warning in  the  cockpit  or  an  indication  of  an  inoperative/  faulty  system  or while experiencing difficulty in handling/ operating the aircraft. The details  of    technical  snags  reported  by  various  airlines  in  the country during the last five years is at Annexure.; ; (c)  &  (d)  The  snags  are  recorded  by  the  flight  crew  in  the  Flight Report Book of the aircraft and after completion of the flight which is examined by a duly qualified and type rated Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), as per the procedure laid down in the Manufacturer's Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)/ Trouble Shooting  Manual.  The  snag  is  thereafter  rectified as per the procedure in the AMM and may involve replacement of components, testing, servicing etc. Upon satisfactory rectification, the aircraft is released for service and an entry to this effect is made in the Flight Report Book. In case of repetitive snags/ occurrence reported, then it  is  the  responsibility  of  Airline/  operator  to  approach  the  OEM/ manufacturer for mitigation of defects.; ; Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 5 Series C Part I requires occurrences relating to system and component failure e.g. Damage to  a  principal  structural  element,  Loss  of  any  part  of  the  aircraft structure, Malfunction of Air-conditioning system, Electrical system, Fire protection system, Flight control system, Fuel System, Hydraulic  System,  Landing  gear  system/  brakes/  tyres,  Navigation systems,  propulsion  system  etc.  to  be  reported  to  DGCA.  These occurrences, based on their severity are investigated either by the concerned  airlines  under  the  supervision  of  the  DGCA  or  by  the DGCA under  Rule  13(1)  of  the  Aircraft  (Investigation  of  Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.; (e) No sir. (f) & (g)   The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not prescribed  guidelines  specifying  life  for  an  aircraft  to  fly  in  India. Aircraft is considered airworthy provided the maintenance is as per approved schedule laid down by the manufacturer. Aircraft

registered  in  India  may  operate  as  long  as  the  aircraft  is  under maintenance support provided by manufacturer for the continuous operation of the aircraft.; The  aircraft  may  be  withdrawn  from  operation  by  an  operator,  in case  it  becomes  'beyond  economic  repair'  or  is  'permanently withdrawn  from  use'  due  to  any  reason  such  as  unavailability  of spares, etc.; However,  DGCA  has  laid  down  age  criteria  for  an  aircraft  to  be imported into India as under: (1) Aircraft intended to be imported and used in passenger services (Scheduled/ Non-Scheduled) and General Aviation; (i)  Pressurized  aircraft  restricted  to  18  years  of  age  or  65%  of designed economic life in terms of pressurization cycle, whichever is earlier; (ii) Non Pressurized aircraft (intended to import in India) allowed up to 20 years of age on case to case basis agreed by DGCA. (2) Aircraft to be used for air cargo operations restricted to 25 years in age or 75% of its designed economic life in terms of pressurization cycles, whichever is earlier.

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Details of significant technical snags reported by various airlines in the country are as follows:

| S/N   | AIRLINES                                     | 2018   | 2019   | 2020   | 2021   | 2022   |   TOTAL |
|-------|----------------------------------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|---------|
| 1.    | M/s Alliance Air Aviation Ltd (Alliance Air) | 01     | 04     | 01     | 04     | 03     |      13 |
| 2.    | M/s Interglobe Aviation Ltd (Indigo)         | 142    | 208    | 141    | 179    | 215    |     885 |
| 3.    | M/s Spicejet Ltd (Spicejet)                  | 26     | 205    | 147    | 170    | 143    |     691 |
| 4.    | M/s Tata Sia Airlines Ltd (Vistara)          | 59     | 139    | 64     | 85     | 97     |     444 |
| 5.    | M/s Air India Ltd (Air India)- Fleet A       | 99     | 73     | 54     | 71     | 64     |     361 |
| 6.    | M/s Big Charter Pvt Ltd (Fly Big)            | -      | -      | -      | 01     | 01     |      05 |
| 7.    | M/s Air India Ltd (Air India)- Fleet B       | 08     | 11     | 14     | 05     | 00     |      38 |
| 8.    | M/s Go air                                   | 10     | 19     | 07     | 11     | 07     |      54 |
| 9.    | M/s Akasa Air                                | -      | -      | -      | -      | 06     |      06 |
| 10.   | M/s BlueDart Aviation Ltd                    | 01     | 00     | 04     | 01     | 01     |      07 |
| 11.   | M/s TrueJet                                  | 10     | 08     | 06     | 05     | 01     |      30 |
| 12.   | M/s Air Asia (India) Ltd                     | 13     | 35     | 11     | 12     | 08     |      79 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL                                        | TOTAL  | TOTAL  | TOTAL  | TOTAL  | TOTAL  |    2613 |

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