In its preliminary investigation report into the SpiceJet crash, the DGCA revealed that the flight was on “autopilot mode” when it encountered turbulence. SpiceJet flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Durgapur faced severe disturbance while landing on Sunday, unfortunately resulting in injuries to 14 passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) started an investigation into the matter on Monday.
The DGCA report said, “During this period, the autopilot was turned off for two minutes and the crew piloted the aircraft manually. The aircraft reported to Durgapur ATC that some passengers were injured due to the disturbance and Requested medical help after landing.”
Further, the DGCA investigation uncovered that it was a close shave for over 190 passengers at the Durgapur airport on May 1. “Spice Jet B737-800 aircraft VT-SLH operating flight SG-945 (Mumbai-Durgapur) encountered severe turbulence during landing. A total of 195 persons including 02 pilots and 04 cabin crew members were on board the aircraft. The aircraft took off The aircraft took off. From Mumbai at around 1713 IST. During the descent, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence and the vertical load factor varied from 2.64G and -1.36G,” said the DGCA’s preliminary investigation report.
Meanwhile, the aviation regulator has removed the crew involved, the aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) and in-charge of Spice-Jet’s maintenance control centre.
DGCA officials met the injured passengers and recorded their statements. Later, speaking about it, he said, “Fourteen passengers and three cabin crew suffered injuries. The injuries were related to head, spine, shoulder, forehead and facial injuries. At present, three passengers are admitted in the hospital. Two passengers are in the ICU of Durgapur.”
“One of the passengers has been admitted to Diamond Hospital with a head injury and the other passenger is in Mission Hospital with a spinal cord injury. The oxygen panels opened and the oxygen masks fell off. There has been damage to some seat hand rests and overhead decorative panels. The lock of a Cabin Overhead Bin (Haytrack) was found broken. The contents of the galley were seen scattered on the floor. It was the same situation in the corridor.”