Representative image showing turbulence hit plane
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is in the process of coming up with new guidelines for pilots flying in turbulent conditions.
Recently, a Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi with more than 200 people on board experienced turbulence due to inclement weather. The weather prompted the pilot to report the "emergency" to air traffic control at Srinagar and the aircraft later landed safely.
Videos of the moments of turbulence were shared on social media in which panic-stricken passengers were heard making religious supplications as the plane swayed.
As per a report by the Hindustan Times, DGCA officials are investigating the matter and are conducting a probe so that no such incident happens again in the future.
An official told the publication that they are working on "strengthening the system", and the major part of the investigation in the Srinagar-bound flight case has been done.
The official however said that issuance of guidelines to handle such cases of turbulence might take some time as it will need "broader consultation with stakeholders".
The official further said that pilots need to have "clear standard operating procedure" if they face turbulence due to bad weather conditions.
The process will require "thorough analysis", the official added.
After the recent incident, the two pilots have been de-rostered by the DGCA.
Sources said the IAF provided the contact frequency of Lahore airport to the civil aircraft pilots for "overflight weather diversion request" but such a request was denied by Pakistan authorities.
Left with little options, the pilots decided to fly into the storm and encountered "hailstorm and severe turbulence" but had managed to land the aircraft with more than 220 people onboard at Srinagar with a broken nose.
At one point of time, the aircraft descended at a rate of 8500 ft per minute, which is nearly three times the normal rate of descent.
(With PTI and DHNS inputs)