IndiGo Srinagar turbulence: DGCA orders corrective training for pilots, calls for ‘safety over schedule' adherence
IndiGo Srinagar turbulence
NEW DELHI: The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has ordered 'corrective training' for the pilots operating IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar flight (6E 2142) of May 21, 2025, which had suffered severe turbulence.
The Airbus A321 had encountered a hailstorm enroute and then it had landed safely at Srinagar after declaring an emergency with its radome (nose cone) damaged.
'We have probed this incident. Subsequent to that, we have ordered corrective training for the pilots and also issued a revised operation circular for adverse weather operations to enhance flight safety,' said a senior DGCA official. The revised circular issued indicates the probe found the flight should not have continued its journey to Srinagar through bad weather patch that day.
'Flight crew are advised to maintain heightened vigilance, with an emphasis on safety taking precedence over schedule adherence. Captains are encouraged to initiate diversions or air-turn-backs, as required by prevailing conditions,' it says while 'highlighting the growing impact of climate change on operational unpredictability.'
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Weather Avoidance Planning:
Pilots are encouraged to plan deviations early and maintain a minimum 20 nautical mile upwind distance from convective activity.
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Flying beneath thunderstorm clouds is discouraged due to the elevated risk of windshear, lightning, and hail,' says the revised circular, adding, 'Operators and pilots are advised to adopt a conservative approach to decision-making.. early action enhances flight safety.'
The regulator has addressed the issue of 'ice crystal icing, a phenomenon associated with convective weather systems' for the first time in this circular.
It has advised pilots 'to navigate around such areas laterally rather than climbing or descending through them in line with global best practices.'
It 'sets forth conditions under which flight crew are expected to consider diversion, return, or rerouting due to adverse weather, including severe turbulence, windshear, icing, obstructive thunderstorms, or sudden visibility deterioration. Operators and pilots are advised to adopt a conservative approach to decision-making, emphasising that early action enhances flight safety.'
Applicable to flight crew of all scheduled and non-scheduled operators flying during pre-monsoon, monsoon, adverse weather and periods of turbulence, the update introduces 'additional safety measures and guidance aimed at strengthening risk mitigation during adverse weather conditions.'
The revised circular emphasises on pilots communicating with 'passengers, cabin crew, and air traffic control (ATC) during adverse weather and turbulence.
This includes timely briefings, advance passenger announcements, and turbulence reporting to ATC to support better coordination and situational awareness.
The circular says:
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Visual illusion awareness during approach and landing:
The revised guidance highlights visual illusions that may occur during night operations in rain or on wet runways. Pilots are reminded to cross-check visual cues with instruments to ensure accurate approach and landing assessments.
Mandatory Scenario-Based and Simulator Training:
Operators are encouraged to incorporate scenario-based training focused on adverse weather decision-making and the application of threat and error management (TEM) principles. This training is being reinforced through recurrent simulator sessions.
Emphasis on pilot weather reports (PIREPs):
The value of timely and accurate pilot reports is reaffirmed, with all operators encouraged to foster a reporting culture that enhances collective awareness of in-flight weather conditions.
Strict adherence to relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) particularly those pertaining to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), diversion procedures, and harmonized reporting practices, is reiterated to Airlines / Aircraft Operators and flight crew.'
This update reflects our continued commitment to addressing operational challenges posed by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, climate change, and evolving global aviation safety standards,' the regulator says. Operators have been 'instructed to review and revise their internal procedures accordingly and ensure comprehensive dissemination and implementation across their organisations.
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