Lucknow, Aviation regulator DGCA had flagged safety issues concerning Tecnam aircraft over a month before a Tecnam P2006T training aircraft crashed in Kanpur on August 27, killing a trainee pilot and an instructor.
“Capt Bhatia was a good pilot and an experienced flying instructor.
The images of the wreckage of his plane that circulated on social media shortly after the incident reflected something unusual,” the instructor told PTI.
The latest communication, dated July 10, 2026, circulated safety recommendations issued by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau following the May 12, 2022 crash of a twin-engine Tecnam P2006T, operated by FSTC Flying School Pvt Ltd, at Bhiwani in Haryana. The communication was based on the final investigation report of the 2022 Bhiwani accident, which was available on the AAIB website, the email said. The instructor also referred to the 2022 Bhiwani accident and the findings of the subsequent AAIB investigation, saying they pointed to difficulties associated with operating Tecnam aircraft.
The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance and airworthiness records, flying hours, age and engine operating limits, besides determining whether technical or human factors contributed to the crash.
It also said, “Greater emphasis should be placed on training for handling emergency situations, particularly during critical phases of flight on Tecnam aircraft. The DGCA further directed that “checklists should be revised to explicitly incorporate all Original Equipment Manufacturers -recommended actions for handling emergency situations”. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the AAIB would conduct a detailed investigation into the accident, while a three-member DGCA team would provide regulatory oversight and coordination.
