The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered an urgent safety inspection of Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft following Thursday’s Air India safety tragedy in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives. The aircraft crashed within seconds of take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to London.
As a preventive measure, DGCA directed Air India to implement enhanced maintenance protocols for Dreamliners equipped with Genx engines. These checks must begin immediately, in coordination with regional DGCA offices.
Mandatory checks from June 15
From 15 June onwards, Air India must conduct a one-time pre-departure inspection for all 787-8/9 aircraft departing India. The checklist includes fuel parameter monitoring, cabin air compressor system checks, electronic engine control tests, and engine actuator tests.
The airline is also required to carry out oil system inspections, hydraulic system serviceability checks, and a detailed review of take-off parameters. A new ‘Flight Control Inspection’ must be added to the transit inspection checklist.
Power assurance tests must be completed within two weeks. Additionally, Air India must examine and close out repetitive technical snags that occurred in the past 15 days. Reports of all actions must be submitted to the DGCA for review.
Investigation begins, Possible engine failure suspected
The black box of ill-fated Flight AI171 has been recovered. Preliminary investigation suggests a possible twin-engine failure, potentially caused by a bird strike, contaminated fuel, or fuel blockage—or a mix of these factors.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,000 flight hours, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, with 1,000 hours, issued a Mayday call just after take-off. Communication ceased soon after, and the Boeing Dreamliner crashed into a medical college building and burst into flames.
Investigators from India will be joined by aviation experts from the US and UK to conduct a thorough probe. The Air India safety audit will remain under strict DGCA supervision until further notice.
Also Read: AI-171 Crash: PM Modi Meets Family Of Vijay Rupani; Pays Emotional Tribute
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