Air India aircraft incident prompts Indian authorities to conduct a review of Boeing 787 models
Updates on India's Boeing 787 Inspections and Investigations Post-Air India Crash
By Sumit Khanna, Sudipto Ganguly, and Shivam Patel
AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI, June 14 - Following the disastrous Air India flight AI171 crash this week, fatality count at 270, India's aviation authorities have sprung into action. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered comprehensive inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian airlines 1. The minister overseeing aviation confirmed said this on Saturday, adding that all potential causes are under investigation 1.
Initially, the DGCA had asked for additional maintenance checks on Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines. These checks included assessments of certain take-off parameters, electronic engine control tests, and fuel-related engine inspections 2. However, the current inspection mandate extends to all 787 aircraft in the Indian fleet, making 34 aircraft in total, with 8 already inspected, and the remainder to be checked promptly 1. It isn't clear if government officials will assist in these inspections 2.
A catastrophic Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers on its way to London's Gatwick Airport, started losing altitude seconds after takeoff on Thursday, resulting in a fireball following a crash into buildings. This makes the disaster the deadliest in the aviation sector within the last decade 2.
While Air India has 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, its main rival IndiGo owns just one 787 2. IndiGo did not comment on a request for response. Air India, on the other hand, is currently conducting safety checks in compliance with DGCA orders. They also mentioned that some of these checks might lead to increased response time and possible delays on several long-haul routes 2. However, these aircraft haven't been grounded. It's been reported that the Indian government is considering grounding these aircraft 1.
The government expressed intentions for investigating every plausible reason behind the crash and is dedicated to providing extensive support to the families affected during this humanitarian crisis 1.
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#1 - Inspection Updates
- AAIB Investigation: Apart from the DGCA inspections, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash, with the recovery of the aircraft's black box on June 13 providing crucial data regarding the flight's final moments1.
- Union Home Secretary High-Level Committee: To ensure a comprehensive inquiry, a High-Level Committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, has been formed. The purpose of the committee is to provide recommendations for future safeguards and a holistic, policy-oriented roadmap1.
#2 - DGCA Directives
- Original Mandate: Initially, the DGCA ordered Air India to undergo additional maintenance checks on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines2.
- Expanded Checks: The current DGCA mandate now includes comprehensive inspections for all 787 aircraft in the Indian fleet, totaling 34 aircraft1.
The inspections, initially limited to Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft, have now expanded to cover all 787 aircraft in the Indian aviation industry, considering the recent crash. As financial institutions assess the potential impact on the transportation sector, the government is committed to supporting the families affected by the aviation disaster.
