DGCA orders enhanced safety checks on Air India’s Dreamliner fleet after deadly crash in Ahmedabad
New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator DGCA has ordered Air India to carry out rigorous safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, following the catastrophic crash of a London-bound Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on June 12 that claimed over 260 lives, marking the world’s worst aviation tragedy in ten years, media reports said.
In its directive issued on Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked the airline to conduct enhanced checks of critical aircraft systems and to review take-off parameters across the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
These inspections must be coordinated with the regional DGCA offices, with detailed reports submitted for further evaluation.
Air India operates 33 Dreamliners—26 Boeing 787-8s and seven 787-9s.
The plane that crashed on Thursday was fitted with GEnx-18 engines by GE Aerospace.
DGCA has now asked the airline to initiate “additional maintenance actions” for all B787s equipped with these engines.
First fatal crash for Dreamliner since debut
The June 12 crash is the first ever fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 series, which has been in commercial service since 2011.
The flight lost altitude shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, crashing with its landing gear extended and triggering a massive explosion.
The victims included 241 passengers and crew members, and over 20 fatalities on the ground.
Mandatory checks before every departure from June 15
From Sunday, Air India will be required to conduct one-time checks before any Dreamliner flight departs from India.
These include inspection of fuel parameters, cabin air compressor, electronic engine control systems, engine actuators, oil and hydraulic systems, and a thorough review of take-off metrics.
DGCA has also mandated ‘Flight Control Inspection’ during transit checks and power assurance evaluations within two weeks.
Signs of technical failure under investigation
Preliminary footage from airport surveillance revealed the aircraft climbing normally before suddenly descending and crashing.
The pilots had issued a Mayday alert moments after takeoff.
Experts said the aircraft’s steep nose-up angle during descent suggested a possible severe power failure. DGCA is also investigating “repetitive snags” reported over the past fortnight on Dreamliners.
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