Following the devastating Air India Dreamliner accident near Ahmedabad on June 12 that took the lives of at least 270 people, the authorities in India acted quickly. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed immediate inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian carriers, including Air India’s 33 Dream liners, and IndiGo’s one operating 787 flight.
A traumatized country, a running bureaucracy
The accident happened when flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8, bound for London Gatwick, impacted a medical-college hostel, in a congested area of land, seconds after takeoff. One passenger survived.The nation was shocked, and photographer-videographers and bloggers recorded the descent and explosion from a distance. The news cascaded out across the country.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told reporters that eight Dreamliners have already undergone “technical scrutiny,” with checks focusing on engine thrust, wing flaps, landing gear, and other vital systems.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” said Minister Naidu. “Every aircraft bearing the 787 badge in our fleet will be inspected without any delay”
Technical Focus Areas and Ongoing Investigation
The ongoing crash investigation is probing whether a catastrophic loss of engine thrust, flap misconfiguration, or landing gear issues played a role. Preliminary data recovered from the flight data recorder indicates a rapid drop in altitude shortly after takeoff, while CCTV footage showed the landing gear still extended—an abnormal configuration at that phase of flight.
Regulators Halt Grounding—Inspections Instead
Unlike past groundings after the 2013 787 battery fires, Indian authorities have opted for comprehensive inspections rather than grounding the fleet. Boeing has issued a service bulletin stating no new structural or systemic design flaws have been identified in the 787 series.
Officials insist this approach balances public safety with operational continuity: aircraft remain in service following pre-departure checks and rounds of system testing, but arrive-and-go flights have been briefly held pending the outcome .
Pressure Mounts for Answers
At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.At the crash site, the Prime Minister of India, revealed his feelings that he was “deeply saddens.” He called for immediate investigations to work with the regulators immediately to restore public confidence.
Families of victims now receive compensation directly from Tata Group, and relief from the government under Air India’s new ownership.
Meanwhile, international partners including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing itself are providing technical assistance .
Next Steps
A high-level crash investigation panel has been convened, with a preliminary report expected within three months. India is also replicating enhanced safety protocols across all 787 variants—both the ‑8 and ‑9 versions—to ensure they never take off until clearance is given .
