Air India Initiates Safety Inspections on Boeing 787 Dreamliners Following Tragic Accident
Air India has initiated mandatory safety inspections of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet following a tragic accident that resulted in significant loss of life. The inspections, ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), focus on critical systems of the aircraft. Nine planes have already undergone checks, with 24 more scheduled for inspection. The DGCA has also mandated that all 787 flights departing from India must complete thorough inspections before takeoff. This proactive approach aims to ensure the safety and reliability of Air India's operations in light of recent technical issues and the recent accident.
| Jun 14, 2025, 18:47 IST
Safety Inspections Launched for Boeing 787 Fleet
In response to directives from India's aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India has commenced mandatory safety inspections of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. This decision comes in the wake of a catastrophic incident involving an Air India 787 aircraft en route from Ahmedabad to London, which tragically resulted in the loss of at least 265 lives. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff when the aircraft collided with a residential building near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This marks the first fatal accident associated with the Boeing 787 since its commercial introduction in 2011.
Inspection Progress and Focus Areas
Nine Aircraft Inspected, 24 More Under Review
As of Saturday, Air India has confirmed the completion of the required one-time safety checks on nine of its Dreamliner aircraft, with inspections for the remaining 24 planes on track to be finalized within the regulatory timeline. These inspections are being conducted as the aircraft return to India, with each needing to pass a thorough review before being cleared for operation.
The safety measures focus on the GenX engines of the Dreamliners and include critical system checks such as:
Fuel parameter monitoring
Cabin air compression systems
Electronic engine control units
Engine actuator oil systems
Hydraulic system integrity
Takeoff performance parameters
Additional Investigations Ordered Post-Accident
DGCA Mandates Further Checks
The DGCA has reported recurring technical issues with Boeing 787 aircraft over the past two weeks. Consequently, all such problems must be addressed before normal operations can resume. Starting June 15, all 787 flights departing from India will be required to undergo mandatory inspections prior to departure, along with additional power assurance and flight control checks within a two-week timeframe.