DGCA orders probe into Air India Express captain Armaan's death at Delhi airport

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of Air India Express First Officer Armaan's death who had collapsed after safely landing a Srinagar-Delhi flight last Wednesday. In his order, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has said that the probe team will take into account factors like the deceased pilot's medical history; whether any protocol needs to be devised for crew with such medical conditions and the time taken at Delhi Airport in providing the pilot the required care and the quality of the same.

The probe panel comprising of Vishal Yadav, DGCA's deputy director air safety as investigator-in-charge, and Group Captain Murtaza, DMS (CA) subject matter expert as a member, has been asked to submit its report "preferably" within six months.

Kidwai has asked the team to examine these points, among any other that the investigation throws up: "Whether the crew reported about sickness to air traffic control (ATC) while in air and if so, whether ATC initiated action appropriately; check the medical history of the deceased crew; whether due precaution was taken during rostering of such crew who has flying restriction due to medical reasons."


"(Whether) any specific medical checks are required for such pilots to undergo before undertaking the flights; whether remaining onboard crew took action when crew reported feeling unwell; time taken in taking him to the medical centre at the airport/civil hospital; check the level of preparedness of the medical centre at the airport in handling such emergencies,' the probe panel has been asked to examine these areas too and also "examine the existing guidelines / circulars in this regard and suggest changes if needed."

First officer Armaan, 35, had suffered a "sudden cardiac arrest" while operating flight IX-1153 from Srinagar to Delhi on April 9, 2025. After safely landing in Delhi, he went to the aircraft lavatory where he vomited. He collapsed in the forward galley and was taken to the airport medical centre by cabin crew and ground staff. He was then taken to a private hospital in Vasant Kunj but could not be saved.

Armaan, who went by his first name only, had joined Air India Express in 2023 from SpiceJet. He had flown for less than 12 hours in the last seven days, it is learnt.

Following his death, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) had said in a statement there’s an urgent need to put in place transparent regulations that prioritise rest for pilots, safety and humane scheduling practices. The association, which represents over 800 pilots of various Indian carriers, has stressed the need for having comprehensive mental health support systems within airline organisations and not merely as checkboxes but as active, accessible, and stigma-free services. ALPA says the untimely death of Captain Armaan’s death raises troubling questions about pilot welfare, mental health, and working conditions in the Indian aviation industry.

While not linking Armaan’s tragic death to fatigue, several pilots say they have for a long time been pleading for less strenuous working conditions in India. After a significant delay, slightly less strenuous flight duty time limitations (FDTL) rules — that govern key issues like how much a pilot can fly with what rest periods and limits on night flying — are set to be enforced from this summer.

“Many pilots have lost their lives suddenly in last few years, especially post Covid, and we have been fighting for a more humane FDTL. We just hope nothing else delays implementation of the new rules, something which we have seen in the past. Well rested and not stressed pilots are key to safe flights,” said many senior pilots.