This refers to the editorial, “Engine woes” (March 14). What was once only a distant dream for many middle-class Indians, flying high became a distinct reality in 1991 though many private players began their operation on a large scale in the last 15 years in the country. Quick and cheap travel is one thing anybody would ‘die’ for, but not in the true sense of the word. The dangerous tendency to compromise on safety seems to have crept into the psyche of airline operators. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) needs commendation for its firm step. Frequent scary incidents of flights returning back mid-air, almost three in two weeks, after one engine failure was evidently too much for the DGCA. The DGCA rightly went with its decision though an aircraft can fly with one engine if there is no extended flying over water.
In prolonged flight over sea, quick spotting of diversionary airports in emergencies could be a huge problem. The Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines are said to be suffering from a bearing of the knife-edged seal plate and combustion chamber distress both of which could be disastrous. Shut down of in-flight engine and rejected takeoffs were serious issues associated with the technical flaws. Though the PW said it would be rectified by July and, therefore, the two airliners could fly till then on one engine, the DGCA would have none of it. The grounded fights can fly after necessary rectification or replacement to the full satisfaction of the DGCA. Now, with so many cancellations, the airline companies should not trouble the fliers many of those who have to catch connecting flights for their onward journeys.