In the wake of the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 241 people, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive safety review of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet. The deadly incident, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The DGCA's directive mandates intensified safety inspections with immediate effect. These checks, which will be coordinated with DGCA regional offices, include a thorough examination of fuel parameter monitoring systems, cabin air compressors, electronic engine controls, engine fuel-driven actuators, and hydraulic systems. Furthermore, the aviation regulator has instructed Air India to conduct a review of takeoff parameters and introduce "Flight Control Inspection" during transit inspections until further notice. Power assurance checks are also to be carried out within two weeks.
These enhanced safety measures come as the aviation community grapples with the aftermath of the crash. According to reports, the aircraft plummeted into a residential area near the airport, specifically impacting the B.J. Medical College hostel mess. The impact resulted in a massive explosion and fire, with debris scattered across the area. Early eyewitness accounts suggest the plane lost altitude soon after takeoff and crashed into buildings within the residential complex.
The Air India flight had 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Initial reports indicated no survivors, but it was later confirmed that one passenger, a British national named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously survived. Among the fatalities was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots, who was described by family friends as a dedicated and well-regarded professional. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also among those killed in the crash.
DNA collection centers have been set up at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to assist in the identification of victims, with relatives arriving from various parts of the country. Air India personnel are also present to provide support and assistance to the grieving families.
The crash has prompted widespread শোক and condolences, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his grief on social media and assuring full support from the central government for rescue and investigation efforts.
Aviation experts are currently analyzing the possible causes of the crash. The black box of the aircraft has been recovered from the rooftop of a building at the crash site, which should provide critical insights into the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Veteran Indian Air Force pilot and aviation expert Captain Ehsan Khalid spoke to NDTV to decode the anatomy of one of the deadliest crashes in India's aviation history.
The DGCA has clarified that there is no grounding of the Boeing 787 fleet yet. However, the intensified safety inspections highlight the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident. The aviation regulator has directed Air India to submit a report of the checks for review.
The enhanced safety inspections of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet are scheduled to commence on June 15, 2025. The aviation authority has stated that it will closely monitor the situation and take further action as necessary based on the findings of the safety review and crash investigation.
