DGCA Orders Enhanced Safety Checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 Fleet After Ahmedabad Crash

Following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued a directive mandating immediate and intensified safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.

The move comes in response to Thursday’s fatal crash of a Boeing 787-7 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, bound for London, was carrying 242 people. Tragically, 241 people lost their lives, while one passenger survived and is currently hospitalized with injuries.

DGCA’s Maintenance and Safety Directive

The DGCA circular, titled “Enhanced Safety Inspection on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet of M/s Air India,” outlines a series of mandatory checks to be carried out on all Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines, effective from June 15, 2025 (00:00 hrs), in coordination with regional DGCA offices. These include:

1. Pre-departure Checks (One-time, before any flight departs from India):

   • Fuel parameter monitoring and related system inspection.

   • Inspection of the cabin air compressor and associated systems.

   • Electronic Engine Control (EEC) system testing.

   • Operational testing and oil system inspection of the engine fuel-driven actuator.

   • Hydraulic system serviceability checks.

   • Review of take-off parameters.

2. Transit Inspection:

   • Introduction of a ‘Flight Control Inspection’ during transit checks until further notice.

3. Power Assurance Tests:

   • To be conducted within two weeks across the fleet.

4. Review of Recent Snags:

   • Immediate closure of maintenance actions related to recurring technical issues reported in the last 15 days.

Air India is required to submit a detailed report of these inspections to the DGCA for review.

The aviation regulator’s swift action aims to bolster passenger safety and prevent future incidents, as investigations into the cause of the Ahmedabad crash continue.