Paves Way for Resumption of Operations

Jamshedpur, Dec 28: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revoked the suspension of Alchemist Aviation Pvt. Ltd., a flying training institute based at Sonari Airport, Jamshedpur.

The institute’s managing director, Mrinal Kanti Pal, confirmed on Saturday that the DGCA’s decision, communicated on December 24, 2024, marks a significant step forward for the organization after a challenging period following a tragic accident.

The suspension was imposed after a Cessna 152, a two-seater training aircraft operated by Alchemist Aviation, crashed on August 20, 2024. The accident claimed the lives of trainee pilot Subhrodeep Dutta and instructor Captain Jeet Shatru Anand. In the aftermath, the DGCA conducted a special safety audit from August 23 to 24, uncovering serious deficiencies and regulatory violations in the institute’s operations.

As a result of the findings, the DGCA suspended Alchemist Aviation’s operational approval. The aircraft’s wreckage, initially unlocated, was found five days later, on August 27, in the Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district, following a search operation by the Indian Navy. The victims’ bodies were recovered on August 22.

In its order revoking the suspension, the DGCA outlined a detailed improvement process for Alchemist Aviation to follow before it can resume operations. The institute has addressed the regulatory concerns raised during the safety audit, leading to the reinstatement of its approval.