Air India Begins Safety Checks on Dreamliner Fleet Following Tragic Crash, here’s what they find!

A day after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated a one-time safety inspection of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft operated by Air India, the airline confirmed that the process is well underway. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Air India announced that it has completed checks on 9 of its 33 remaining Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and is on track to inspect the rest of the fleet within the DGCA’s deadline.

These one-time inspections, ordered as a preventive measure following the fatal crash of London-bound Air India flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad, aim to ensure the aircraft are fit for operation. The DGCA directive specifically targets Boeing 787s equipped with GEnx engines. These enhanced checks could result in longer turnaround times and potential delays, especially on long-haul routes with airport curfews.

The crash has claimed at least 274 lives, including 241 passengers and several others on the ground, such as doctors in hostel buildings that were hit. Only one person onboard is reported to have survived. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full-scale investigation into the tragedy.

Emergency response and forensic teams from the NSG, NDRF, Indian Air Force, CISF, FSL, DGCA, and AAIB are currently examining the crash site and collecting evidence. International aviation partners—including Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)—have also deployed teams to support the investigation.

Crucially, the black box has been recovered, containing both the cockpit voice recorder and the digital flight data recorder. Preliminary reports suggest the pilot issued a mayday call, citing “no power, no thrust,” indicating a dual engine failure shortly after takeoff. Experts believe analysis of the flight data will be pivotal in determining the exact cause of the crash.

IndiGo, the only other Indian airline operating Boeing 787s (six on lease from Norse Atlantic), has not reported any issues so far. However, the aviation sector remains on high alert as investigators race to uncover the root cause of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.