The Government of India, through the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), has announced a comprehensive safety inspection of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in Air India’s fleet, starting Sunday, June 15. This decision follows the devastating crash of an Air India Dreamliner operating Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, which tragically killed at least 265 people, leaving only one survivor. The aircraft reportedly crashed into a doctors’ hostel building shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
This crash is significant as it marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft's commercial launch in 2011.
The DGCA's enhanced inspection protocol will focus on critical systems, including:
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Fuel parameter monitoring and system checks
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Cabin air compressor and its related systems
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Electronic Engine Control System (EECS) diagnostics
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Engine fuel-driven actuator operational test and oil system check
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Hydraulic system serviceability
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Take-off parameter review
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Power assurance checks (to be completed within two weeks)
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Flight Control Inspection – a new layer of oversight being added
The inspections will specifically target Dreamliners equipped with GenX engines, which are common across the Air India 787 fleet. These checks are being ordered in response to repetitive technical snags observed over the past 15 days, which now must be thoroughly reviewed and resolved.
Although Boeing is not directly blamed for the crash at this time, previous concerns raised in 2024 by a Boeing engineer regarding the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner have heightened public and regulatory scrutiny. However, no evidence has been established linking those concerns to the recent accident.
In its official response, Boeing stated that it is “in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171” and is “ready to support them” in the aftermath.
This incident is likely to intensify global regulatory oversight on both Boeing and airlines operating the 787 fleet, especially given Boeing’s ongoing reputation challenges following earlier safety controversies surrounding the 737 MAX.
