The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the license of a SpiceJet pilot for six months for ignoring the co-pilot’s input during a Mumbai-Durgapur flight in May that resulted in injuries to a few passengers. The Durgapur-bound flight had encountered severe turbulence during the descent that left 14 passengers and three crew members injured.
The aviation regulator immediately ordered SpiceJet to take the two pilots off the roster and later issued a show cause notice, seeking an explanation on why flight SG 945, with 195 people on board (including two pilots and four cabin crew), decided to go ahead with the landing despite the turbulence.
The airline was asked to submit its response within a fortnight, according to people aware of the matter.
