DGCA backs pilots for aborting flight due to bad weather

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided not to take punitive action against pilots who abort the flight and carryout safe forced landing due to deteriorating weather, provided such landings are informed to the regulator as soon as they take place.
The move comes against the backdrop of a realisation that some of the recent accidents took place due to pressure on pilots to complete the journey despite inclement weather.
"The pilots should not hesitate to divert or to abort the mission as and when they meet with such bad weather conditions en route. Such an action is desirable in the interest of safety of occupants on board the helicopter," it said.

There were incidents of pilots flying choppers in inclement conditions, including one involving Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi when the helicopter landed after sunset.
Earlier, the DGCA  said four chopper accidents killing 20 people during rescue operations in June in Uttarakhand could have been avoided if pilots had proper hill training and helicopters were not used beyond its capacity.
Read News In Full 29/12/13 Deccan Herald