NEW DELHI, June 14 – In the wake of a catastrophic air crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that claimed the lives of 270 people, Indian aviation authorities have initiated a sweeping inspection of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by domestic carriers. The crash, described as the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, has raised urgent safety concerns and prompted a national investigation.
Nationwide Safety Sweep Ordered
The aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, announced on Saturday that India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered comprehensive safety checks on all Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft, particularly those outfitted with GEnx engines. The checks will include detailed assessments of critical take-off parameters, electronic engine control systems, and fuel system functionality.
Naidu stated that a total of 34 Dreamliners are currently in service across Indian carriers, with 33 operated by Air India and one by IndiGo. While eight of these aircraft have already undergone urgent inspections, the remainder will be reviewed immediately. However, it remains unclear whether government inspectors will directly oversee the inspection process or if it will be left to airline technicians.
The devastating crash happened moments after the aircraft took off en route to Gatwick Airport in the UK. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude and crashed into residential structures near the airport, igniting a massive fireball that resulted in widespread devastation. Out of the 242 passengers and crew members on board, only one person survived.
The reason behind the crash is currently being examined by investigators. Authorities are examining multiple potential technical failures, including engine thrust irregularities, possible flap malfunctions, and the unexplained deployment of the landing gear during take-off. The aviation minister assured the public that all angles are being considered and a detailed report will be released within three months.
Impact on Air India and Operational Challenges
Air India, now under the ownership of the Tata Group since its takeover from the government in 2022, finds itself in the eye of the storm. The airline confirmed that it is complying with all directives from the regulator and conducting thorough one-time safety checks across its 787 fleet. While the aircraft have not been officially grounded, some routes may experience delays due to extended turnaround times resulting from these inspections.
Although grounding the fleet remains an option under discussion, no final decision has been made. The airline is attempting to maintain normal operations while prioritizing safety. In contrast, IndiGo, which operates only one 787, has not publicly responded to the directive.
The tragedy has placed a significant strain on Air India, a carrier that has been striving to recover its image and modernize its fleet since its privatization. Tata Group Chairman expressed deep concern and pledged to uncover the truth behind the crash, though he admitted that the company currently has limited information on what exactly went wrong.
Grieving Families Seek Answers
In the aftermath of the crash, dozens of grief-stricken families have gathered outside hospitals in Ahmedabad, desperately seeking news and identification of their loved ones. Many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition, complicating the identification process. Authorities are relying on dental records and DNA profiling to match the remains with missing passengers.
Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four relatives in the tragedy, voiced frustration over the slow process. “We have lost our children and no one is telling us anything. We just want to know when we can take them home,” he said tearfully.
Another grieving father, waiting to receive the body of his son Harshad Patel, expressed despair over the long wait. He was told that DNA results would take at least 72 hours. “Everyone is trying to help, but we are losing patience,” he shared.
The hospital staff and forensic teams have been working around the clock. According to Jaishankar Pillai, a senior forensic dentist involved in the identification process, dental records for 135 of the charred victims have been collected and are being matched with available charts and radiographs. The complexity of the process means that families may need to wait several more days before remains can be officially returned.
Emotions are running high even among the doctors. One physician from B.J. Medical College, where the plane crashed into a hostel building, said the emotional toll on staff has been severe. “We’ve lost colleagues, friends, and so many innocent lives. It’s incredibly hard to keep working through the pain,” he said, requesting anonymity.
National Focus on Air Safety
The scale of the disaster has triggered an urgent call to strengthen aviation safety protocols across the country. Minister Naidu reiterated that the government is fully committed to learning from this tragedy. He confirmed that a special committee has been formed to investigate the incident, and its findings will be used to bolster safety measures across the aviation sector.
“This is a painful moment for the country. But we must ensure it never happens again,” Naidu said at a press conference. “We will take every necessary action to improve safety, from stricter aircraft monitoring to training and operational reforms.”
1 thought on “India Orders Immediate Boeing 787 Inspections Following Air India Tragedy”