A couple of Kolhapur-based car mechanics purportedly repaired the engine of a helicopter successfully. But since they were not qualified aircraft maintenance engineers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) isn’t amused.
The Directorate is investigating the incident. Meanwhile the helicopter pilot of the Mumbai-based aviation company Varva Aviation, has been grounded for allegedly allowing car mechanics to repair the helicopter and for not bringing the incident to the notice of the authorities.
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According to a senior DGCA official, on October 12 when Varva Aviation’s chairman Avinash Bhosale was travelling in a AgustaWestland AW 109 (VT-VCA) chopper from Goa to Pune via Kolhapur in Maharashtra, the engine developed a snag.
The sequence of events thereafter is not very clear but the DGCA official said, “We suspect that car mechanics were called to repair the helicopter engine following which the aircraft became airworthy and flew to its destination.” It is being assumed that a friend of Mr. Bhosale had suggested that he knew some Kolhapur car mechanics who could fix most car engines — why not try them? The mechanics’ repairs seemed to have been successful. The pilot has been grounded as he cleared the transit inspection without reporting any snag to the DGCA as required under the law, the official added. “The pilot refuses to admit that there was a snag in the helicopter. But we have received a photograph which apparently shows that the engine of the chopper was open and the mechanics were working on it,” the official said.
According to aviation safety rules, only qualified aircraft maintenance engineers are allowed to inspect and repair aircraft or chopper engines.
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The mechanics, who have not been identified, are destined to at least 15 minutes of fame following their feat.