Post-Crash Fallout: 112 Air India Pilots Take Sick Leave as DGCA Issues Safety Notices

In a concerning development following the tragic Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad that killed 274 people, 112 pilots unexpectedly took sick leave just four days after the incident. Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol revealed to Parliament that this included 51 commanders and 61 first officers, highlighting the psychological impact of such disasters on flight crews.

The mass sick leave occurred alongside regulatory action from India's aviation authority. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued four show-cause notices to Air India for multiple safety violations. These notices addressed failures in managing crew fatigue, inadequate training programs, and operational procedure breaches. An airline spokesperson confirmed receipt of the notices and stated they would respond appropriately.

This comes amid a troubling safety record for the carrier, which has now received 13 regulatory notices in just six months. Recent incidents include an in-flight fire, runway excursions, and multiple aborted takeoffs, compounding concerns about operational safety.

Investigators examining the Dreamliner crash made a crucial discovery - the aircraft's fuel supply switches mysteriously moved from their normal 'RUN' position to 'CUTOFF' shortly after takeoff. While these switches are designed to prevent accidental activation, they somehow changed positions nearly simultaneously. Speculation about possible pilot involvement has been strongly rejected by aviation authorities as irresponsible conjecture before the final investigation is complete.

In response to these events, aviation authorities have implemented new mental health support measures for flight crews, including enhanced psychological evaluations, specialized trauma training, and peer support programs. Airlines have also completed mandatory inspections of similar aircraft systems across their fleets.

The aviation community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy as investigators work to determine the definitive cause of the crash. The incident has sparked important conversations about crew welfare and operational safety standards in Indian aviation.