Air India’s accident near Ahmedabad Airport raised new concerns about the safety standards of the airline, in particular the appointment of the current leading leadership, Captain Manish Uppal. During its time in Airassia India, it was previously suspended by the air authorities for safety violations.
The tragic accident occurred on Thursday, when the flight Air India went from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick dropped just a few minutes after takeoff. Of the 242 people on board, he lost 241, making him one of the deadliest air disasters in the recent history of India. There is an investigation to determine what caused a fatal incident.
However, the accident ruled by discussing responsibility in Air India. Many of them questioned the decision to appoint Captain Manish into a key leading role. Social media fear after the former pilot Airasia and Youtuber Gaurav Taneja emphasized the suspension of uppal from Airassia India in 2020.
“In May 2020, I raised serious concerns about flight safety against #iarasii. DGCA investigated, security garbage found and suspended 2 highest officials. Who was the best boss – capital. Manish Vappal (also suspended),” Taneja sent to X (formerly Twitter).
He added: “Today, after the merger of Air Asia, Vistara and Air India. Guess who is the best boss of flight operations in Air India. Capt. Manish uppal.”
According to the official Air India website, Captain Uppal with more than 20 years of civil aviation experience was appointed in 2023 as a senior vice president for flight operations. In a statement issued in October 2023, the airline was appointed as the head of the Vice President. ”
Merging Airassia India with Air India Express was completed in October 2024.
The controversy dates back to 2020, when Taneja lifted red flags on flight safety practices in Airassia India. The General Directorate for Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation and found in the operation of the airlines that serious failed. Later, she suspended two higher officials, including Captain Uppal and the head of the Mukesh Nema flight, for three months.
“We have issued a notification of the show of the cause by two managers of Airasia India – the head of Manish Uppal and the head of the safety of Mukesh Nema – only in June. Now it was decided to suspend it for three months,” DGCA said.
Taneja claimed that he was suspended by the airlift “for standing for the safe operation of the aircraft and his passengers”. In a detailed video shared in 2020, the airline accused the pilot pressure to make 98 % landing in “Flap 3” mode – setting that saves fuel but can be risky in bad weather.
He claimed that the failure to meet 98 % of the goal was considered to be a violation of the standard operational procedure of the airline (SOP). According to Taney, landing “Flap 3” is often less stable and should not be mandatory in all conditions.
(Tagstotranslate) Nepalese aircraft crash
