Back-to-Back Pilot Heart Attacks Raise Concerns Over Fatigue, Work Hours

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an independent inquiry into the recent deaths of two airline pilots and urging the government to reject any dilution of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms , warning of serious implications for aviation safety.

In his letter dated May 1, Tagore cited the deaths of Captain Tarundeep Singh , who reportedly suffered a heart attack on April 29 in Bali, and Captain Arjun Naidu , who died under similar circumstances on April 30 in Bengaluru. Calling the back-to-back fatalities within 24 hours “ not mere coincidences ,” he argued they point to a systemic failure in fatigue management in India’s civil aviation sector.

The MP’s intervention follows concerns raised by Air Line Pilots' Association(ALPA) India, which has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to deny any relaxations in fatigue norms . ALPA India has flagged that airlines continue to operate under “temporary variations” that effectively extend duty hours and compress rest periods , heightening fatigue risks.

FDTL rules, designed to prevent fatigue-induced errors , have faced repeated delays in full implementation. Tagore alleged that these temporary relaxations have become a de facto norm , allowing operators to schedule pilots close to regulatory limits without adequate recovery time. He also pointed to low acceptance rates of fatigue reports , suggesting a culture that discourages reporting and undermines safety oversight.

Seeking urgent action, Tagore called for a time-bound rollout of FDTL norms , withdrawal of all relaxations, restoration of strict weekly rest provisions, and public disclosure of fatigue data . He further demanded a transparent probe into the two deaths, stressing that passenger safety must remain non-negotiable .