The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into an incident involving an Alliance Air flight that took off with an open fuel tank from Mysore to Hyderabad. Alliance Air Flight 9I-882, an AT72-600 Aircraft VT-AIY, was forced to return to the airport soon after takeoff, as the fuel tank panels had reportedly popped open in midair. An airline engineer onboard alerted the crew about the issue after observing the fuel panel. Fuel was not filled at Mysore. The DGCA has stated that appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the inquiry.
The airline has chosen not to comment on the incident. Alliance Air is a subsidiary of Air India and is a low-cost airline. It provides air connectivity in India, with a focus on regional air travel. The incident has raised concerns regarding the airline’s maintenance protocols.
The open fuel tank panel was a significant safety hazard that could have had catastrophic consequences for those onboard. It is essential to ensure that all maintenance checks are carried out diligently to guarantee passenger and crew safety. The DGCA has stated that it will take all necessary measures to ensure that such an occurrence does not happen again in the future.
This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred. In October 2019, an Airbus A321 NEO belonging to IndiGo had to return to Mumbai after the fuel lid was not closed appropriately. The airline had to pay a penalty of INR 20 lakhs for the hazardous event.
In conclusion, the DGCA has ordered an investigation into the incident that occurred on the Alliance Air Flight and will take appropriate action based on the outcomes of the inquiry. It is vital for all airlines to prioritize passenger safety by adhering to the required safety protocols and maintenance checks.
