DGCA to take up Boeing 737 Max issue with plane maker, Jet Airways, SpiceJet

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will take up the matter of Boeing 737 Max with plane maker company Boeing and issue a public notice later in the day, a government official said here on Monday.

The aviation regulator would also seek information from Jet Airways and SpiceJet as the two airlines have been using the Boeing 737 Max planes.

The decision of aviation watchdog comes in wake of the Sunday's accident in which four Indians were among 157 passengers killed on board the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 commercial jet to Nairobi that crashed shortly after it took off from Addis Ababa.

The airline has said 157 people were on board the flight, including 149 passengers and eight crew members.

It is the second accident involving Boeing's new 737 MAX 8 jet in less than six months.  In late October, a 737 MAX 8 flown by Lion Air had gone down off the coast of Indonesia, killing 189 people.

China has ordered its domestic airlines to suspend commercial operation of all 96 Boeing 737 MAX 8, citing the crash and another deadly accident of that same model in Indonesia.

The Ethiopian Airlines has also grounded the 737 Max 8 fleet as extra safety precaution.

The Boeing company also expressed sorrow and said in a statement, "Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 air plane. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team."

"A Boeing technical team will be travelling to the crash site to provide technical assistance under the direction of the Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau and US National Transportation Safety Board."

The Boeing company has postponed the debut of its new 777X jetliner, which was scheduled for this week.