Oxygen masks down, AI plane flies

New Delhi: A recent Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai flew all the way with oxygen masks hanging over the heads of passengers.
The bizarre incident, a serious breach of established safety procedures, took place on AI's Boeing 747 as it winged its way from Delhi to Mumbai on February 4. The oxygen masks got deployed automatically once the aircraft was airborne.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation stipulates that in such circumstances, a plane must immediately stop ascending and land at the nearest airport. However, in this case the plane went on to ascend to 36,000 feet and also complete the journey. While the plane landed safely in Mumbai, both DGCA and Air India's air safety wing are investigating the alleged non-compliance with rules that could have cost the pilots dear. The pilots have been taken off the flying roster pending the inquiry.
08/02/08 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Air India - International Feb 2008, NACIL Feb 2008, Safety Feb 2008