The aviation industry is currently grappling with the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which has brought the safety of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft under intense scrutiny. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff and claimed the lives of over 270 people, has prompted immediate action from regulatory bodies and the airline itself, leading to the grounding and cancellation of several flights.
In the wake of the disaster, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated comprehensive maintenance checks on all of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners that are equipped with General Electric's GEnx engines. These checks, expected to last two weeks, will focus on critical systems including fuel, cabin air, engine control, and hydraulics. Air India has a fleet of 33 Dreamliners, and, as of today, nine have undergone the mandatory inspections, with 24 still remaining. The airline has cautioned passengers that these safety checks may lead to increased turnaround times and potential delays on certain long-haul routes.
The impact of these intensified inspections is already being felt, with Air India forced to cancel multiple international flights. Among them is the crucial Bangalore to London route. Passengers are expressing frustration as these necessary safety checks lead to significant operational disruptions. Adding to the concerns, an Air India flight from Delhi to Paris, AI143, was cancelled after pre-flight checks revealed an issue, leading to the cancellation of the return flight from Paris to Delhi as well. In another incident, Air India flight AI315, a Delhi-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue.
Adding fuel to the fire, it has emerged that an Air India Boeing 787, identical to the one that crashed, made an emergency landing in 2023 due to engine failure caused by what was later determined to be poor maintenance. The DGCA's investigation revealed that a turbine blade was incorrectly bolted in during routine maintenance, causing it to break loose. This incident, along with claims of understaffing at the Indian air safety watchdog, raises serious questions about flight safety standards. The DGCA is reportedly operating with less than half the staff needed to ensure adequate safety oversight.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes head Stephanie Pope met with Air India chairperson N Chandrasekaran to discuss the recent crash. The meeting, which also included top executives from GE Aerospace, underscores the gravity of the situation and the collaborative effort required to address the concerns surrounding the Dreamliner.
The Air India crash is the first fatal incident involving the Dreamliner since it began flying in 2011. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, experts suggest that multiple factors, including bird strikes, pilot error, manufacturing defects, or inadequate maintenance, could be to blame. The investigation is expected to take months or even years to complete.
The recent events have also brought renewed attention to past concerns about the Dreamliner. There have been reports of American Airlines grounding a Boeing 787-9 due to maintenance problems, and another Dreamliner making multiple emergency landings earlier this year. Moreover, a Boeing engineer has alleged that shortcuts were taken during the assembly of the Dreamliner, leading to potential quality issues.
In the aftermath of the Air India crash, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of passengers and preventing similar tragedies in the future. The intensified scrutiny of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, along with the ongoing investigation into the crash, is a crucial step in addressing the concerns and restoring confidence in air travel.
