All Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft in Air India’s fleet will undergo enhanced safety inspections starting Sunday, June 15, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced. The directive comes in the wake of the deadly crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which claimed at least 265 lives when the aircraft plunged into a residential doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued detailed instructions for a series of advanced checks across the fleet, specifically targeting aircraft fitted with GenX engines. These inspections will include monitoring of fuel parameters and associated systems, checks on the cabin air compressor, electronic engine control system tests, operational testing of the engine’s fuel-driven actuator and oil system, and serviceability checks of the hydraulic system. A review of take-off parameters has also been mandated.
In addition to these inspections, power assurance checks are required to be completed within two weeks, and a new ‘Flight Control Inspection’ will be implemented. The DGCA has also called for an urgent review of repetitive technical snags reported on Dreamliner flights over the past 15 days. All identified issues must be resolved and closed based on the findings of the inspection.
The intensified scrutiny of the 787 Dreamliner comes amid broader questions surrounding its reliability and performance.
Last year, a Boeing engineer raised alarms about the structural integrity of the Dreamliner. While these concerns have resurfaced in light of the recent crash, there is no evidence linking the engineer’s warning to the latest incident.
In a statement, Boeing said it was “in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171” and added it stood “ready to support them.”
As the investigation continues, Indian aviation authorities are under pressure to ensure fleet-wide compliance with safety protocols and to rebuild public confidence in the Dreamliner aircraft.
Also Read: Government Forms High-Level Panel To Investigate AI-171 Crash https://www.vibesofindia.com/high-level-panel-to-investigate-ai-171-crash/
