Following the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London—which claimed the lives of at least 265 people—the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered enhanced safety inspections for the entire fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft operated by Air India. The inspections are set to begin on Sunday.
The crash, which occurred shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and resulted in the aircraft striking a residential hostel building, left only one survivor out of 266 people onboard. It marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011.
In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued directives for comprehensive system checks on the Dreamliner fleet powered by GenX engines. The scope of inspections includes critical systems such as fuel, engine, and hydraulics. The findings of these checks must be compiled and submitted to the DGCA for review.
According to the official order, the safety inspection protocol includes:
- Monitoring and inspection of fuel parameters and associated systems
- Checks on the cabin air compressor and related systems
- Testing of the electronic engine control system
- Operational testing of the engine’s fuel-driven actuator and inspection of the oil system
- Serviceability assessment of the hydraulic system
- Review of take-off parameters
In addition, power assurance checks must be completed within two weeks, and a 'Flight Control Inspection' will be newly implemented. The government has also directed that all repetitive snags reported on Boeing Dreamliner aircraft over the past 15 days must be reviewed urgently. Any maintenance issues identified must be resolved and closed out immediately.
The crash has intensified global scrutiny of both Boeing and the 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Notably, in 2024, a Boeing engineer raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of the 787. However, authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence linking those concerns to the recent Air India crash. Boeing, in an official statement, confirmed it is in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171. “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them,” the company said.
Also Read: Catastrophic crash: Here’s what we know
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