DGCA halts Alchemist Aviation operations following audit; two lives lost in accident
The DGCA suspended Alchemist Aviation’s license after a fatal crash and subsequent audit revealed serious safety issues at the Jamshedpur-based flying school.
JAMSHEDPUR – Following a tragic aircraft crash and safety audit, the DGCA has suspended the operational approval of Alchemist Aviation, a flying training institute at Sonari Airport.
The suspension came after a two-seater Cessna 152 training aircraft crashed on August 20, 2024, claiming two lives.
Trainee pilot Subhrodeep Dutta and instructor Captain Jeet Shatru Anand perished in the accident.
The DGCA conducted an urgent safety audit from August 23 to 24, 2024, uncovering numerous serious deficiencies and regulatory violations at Alchemist Aviation.
A comprehensive improvement process has been mandated before the institute can resume operations.
The Indian Navy recovered the aircraft wreckage from Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district on August 27, following a five-day search operation.
The bodies of the deceased were discovered earlier, on August 22.
"The fatal accident on August 20, 2024, involved a trainee aircraft from Alchemist Aviation. Following the incident, a special safety audit identified critical issues, leading to the suspension of their FTO approval," stated the DGCA in their press release.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety standards in flying training institutes across the country.
