In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed 260 lives, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India and IndiGo to conduct post-trauma mental health workshops for their flight crew. The directive comes after the DGCA observed the significant impact of the crash on the mental well-being of both pilots and cabin crew.
The aviation regulator has instructed Air India to conduct workshops and offer support, including having a psychologist available at dispatch in case crew members require counseling before their flights. IndiGo, with its extensive network, has been asked to conduct e-modules of these workshops. The DGCA has also directed major airlines not to pressure crew members to work if they are not feeling fit to operate a flight.
The Ahmedabad plane crash involved Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick Airport, which crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood of Ahmedabad. The flight crew issued a mayday call reporting loss of power and thrust. The crash resulted in multiple explosions.
The incident claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. One passenger miraculously survived the crash. Among the casualties was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat. The crash was Air India's first fatal crash since the bombing of Flight 182 in 1985 and the first fatal crash of the Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. It was also the deadliest aviation accident in India since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision.
The DGCA's directive to conduct post-trauma workshops highlights the importance of addressing the mental health of airline crew members, especially in the wake of such a devastating event. The absence of a preliminary report on the cause of the crash has further added to the stress and anxiety among the crew. It is now common for crew members to say a silent prayer when an aircraft gets safely airborne and when it completes its journey.
In addition to the mental health workshops, the DGCA has also taken other steps to enhance safety and oversight of airlines. These include mandating comprehensive inspections of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. These checks include the fuel parameter monitoring system, electronic engine control (EEC) units, and cabin air compressors before every flight departure. The DGCA has also launched a new framework for comprehensive special audits to identify systemic vulnerabilities.
Air India has also taken steps to support the families of the victims. The airline provided immediate financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh per family, while Tata Sons pledged Rs 1 crore. Air India has compensated nearly two-thirds of the families who lost loved ones in the crash.
The Ahmedabad crash has had a profound impact on the aviation community and has raised important questions about safety and mental health. The DGCA's directives and the actions taken by Air India are aimed at addressing these concerns and ensuring the safety and well-being of both passengers and crew.
