Question : Submission of Fake Medical Certificates by Pilots

(a) whether the Government has taken note of pilots feigning illness to miss work and furnishing doctored/fake medical certificates, if so, the details of cases reported during the last three years and the current year, year-wise, airline-wise;

(b) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has taken or propose to take action against such erring pilots and grounded them, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether any rule/guideline is being contemplated or in place to have regular medical check-up of pilots and take appropriate action against those who violate the same?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred in reply to Part

(a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Ques. No. 407 regarding "Submission of Fake Medical Certificates by Pilots" to be answered on 15.12.2016.; ;

(a) & (b) Recently few incidents from some airlines have come to the notice of DGCA where the pilots employed with them have not adhered to assigned flight duties and reported sick resulting into last minute flight delays/cancellations, thereby causing inconvenience/harassment to the passengers. With regard to details of these cases for the last three years, no such data is being maintained by DGCA.

(c) Provisions exist in the Aircraft Rules, 1937 wherein the pilots holding various categories of licences are required to undergo regular medical check-ups. ; Provisions also exist under the said Rules wherein the Director General (DGCA) may require a member of any flight crew to undergo a medical examination by any medical authority at any time, if in his opinion such medical examination is necessary in the interest of safety of operations.;