DGCA suspends license of Jamshedpur Flying Training Institute after fatal crash
Saturday, 31 August 2024, 18:21:32 IST
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Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, August 31: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the license of Alchemist Aviation Private Limited, a flying training institute based at Sonari Airport in Jamshedpur. This action follows a tragic accident on August 20, 2024, where a two-seater training aircraft crashed, resulting in the deaths of both occupants—trainee pilot Subhrodeep Dutta and instructor Captain Jeet Shatru Anand.
The crash prompted an urgent safety audit by the DGCA from August 23 to 24, 2024. The audit revealed numerous serious deficiencies and regulatory violations within Alchemist Aviation. As a result, the DGCA has suspended the institute’s operational approval. According to the DGCA’s press release, “The fatal accident on August 20, 2024, involved a trainee aircraft from Alchemist Aviation. Following the incident, a special safety audit identified critical issues, leading to the suspension of their FTO approval.”
The wreckage of the aircraft, a Cessna 152, was initially missing but was recovered from Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district on August 27 after a five-day search operation by the Indian Navy. The bodies of the deceased were found earlier, on August 22. The DGCA has mandated a comprehensive improvement process before Alchemist Aviation can resume operations.