The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing all 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, was due for a comprehensive maintenance check in December 2025, according to airline officials. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential area near BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
Officials stated that the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, underwent its last C-check, or comprehensive check, in June 2023. These checks are incredibly thorough, and the next one was scheduled for December 2025. AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) performed the C checks. The right-side engine of the nearly 12-year-old aircraft was overhauled and installed in March 2025, while an inspection of the left-side engine was conducted in April 2025, following the engine manufacturer's protocol. The aircraft was powered by GEnx engines, manufactured by GE Aerospace.
Following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered enhanced safety checks for Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 planes. Air India reported that these one-time safety checks are underway and that inspections on nine planes have already been completed. The airline has a fleet of 26 legacy Boeing 787-8s and seven Boeing 787-9s. GE Aerospace has expressed its support for the DGCA's decision to implement enhanced safety inspections on the Air India 787-8/9 fleet.
A C-Check is an extensive inspection that occurs roughly every 18 to 24 months or after a specified number of flight hours. This maintenance check requires a detailed inspection of numerous aircraft components and systems. AIESL, which performed the C-checks, is an aviation maintenance company.
In light of the tragic event, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has established a high-level committee to investigate the crash. The committee has been given three months to submit a comprehensive report, consulting with various experts and stakeholders to determine the causes of the accident and formulate procedures to prevent future emergencies. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has also launched a full-fledged investigation and has recovered the aircraft's black box, which is expected to provide crucial insights into the events leading up to the crash.
The crash site has been a scene of intense search and recovery efforts. At least 270 bodies have been recovered. Most of the bodies were severely charred and mutilated, requiring DNA matching for identification.
The lone survivor of the crash, Viswashkumar Ramesh, a British national, has been hailed as a miracle. He is currently under observation at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad and is expected to make a full recovery.
Air India has announced that it will provide ₹1 crore in compensation to the families of each individual who lost their lives in the crash, including passengers, crew members, and those on the ground.
Amidst the ongoing investigation, Turkey issued a statement clarifying that Turkish Technic, a Turkish aviation maintenance company, did not maintain the crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The agreements between Air India and Turkish Technic, set for 2024 and 2025, specifically cover maintenance services for B777-type wide-body aircraft only.
Air India is also working towards strengthening its in-house maintenance capabilities. The Air India group is setting up an aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru, expected to be operational by mid-2026. This institute will offer a 2+2 year Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program, certified by the DGCA, to cater to the airline's growing need for skilled aircraft maintenance engineers.
