DGCA suspends 2 pilots of Tata Group's Taj Air

The chief pilot was found to have falsified medical records of pilots and crew.

Aviation regulator DGCA has suspended two pilots of Tata Group's Taj Air, a non-scheduled airline that flies Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata and Chairman Cyrus Mistry among others, for allegedly falsifying medical records.

Besides chief pilot and co-pilot of Taj Air, a cabin crew member has also been suspended. All the three have been suspended for three months, sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

"The chief pilot was found to have falsified medical records of pilots and crew. This pilot had signed on behalf of the doctor," the DGCA source added.

When contacted, a Taj Air spokesperson said, "The safety of our passengers is of paramount importance. We are currently investigating the matter and will continue to cooperate with the DGCA. We take such matters very seriously and appropriate action will be taken in case of any non-compliance."

Tata Group also runs scheduled airline Vistara in a joint venture with Singapore Airlines, while it is a shareholder in budget carrier AirAsia India as well.

During a surprise check of non-scheduled operators last week, the DGCA found violations by pilots of Taj Air, Kestrel Aviation and Aerotech Aviation. Subsequently, the regulator also suspended Kestrel's one pilot and Aerotech's two pilots, sources said.

In case of Kestrel, the pilot did not comply with the regulation pertaining to pre-flight medical test whereas with respect to Aerotech, there were irregularities in maintenance of medical test records, they added.

According to sources, the registry maintained by Aerotech was found to have been signed by the same doctor at different stations although that particular doctor had not travelled to all the places.

Sources said that Show cause notices will be soon issued to the concerned persons at Aerotech and Taj Air.

Kestrel and Aerotech could not be immediately contacted. In the wake of violations coming to light at these non-scheduled operators, DGCA would be conducting more surprise checks, sources said.