In the aftermath of the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a sweeping directive to strengthen aircraft safety measures across all Indian airlines. The decision follows the June 12 incident in which a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 passengers on board. The crash, which occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m., has sparked a nationwide debate about the possible technical failures that led to one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years. In response, the Indian government has directed a full safety inspection of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft operating in the country.
The DGCA, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has formally requested a detailed investigation report from Air India regarding the suspected technical malfunction. The report is expected to provide clarity on the root cause of the accident and assess whether existing maintenance and safety protocols were adequate. Concerns over the reliability of Boeing aircraft are not new. Over the years, several complaints have been raised about technical flaws in various Boeing models, and the DGCA has, on multiple occasions, directed airlines to take corrective measures. The latest tragedy, however, has brought these concerns to the forefront once again.
In addition to requesting a full technical audit from Air India, the DGCA has issued a set of mandatory safety checks that all airlines operating Boeing 787 aircraft must comply with starting June 15. These include:
Mandatory pre-flight inspection of every aircraft departing from India
Fuel metering system and maintenance checks
Inspection of the cabin air compressor and related systems
Testing of electronic engine control systems
Inspection of the fuel-powered actuator and overall fuel system
Hydraulic system service condition check
Review of takeoff parameters
Completion of nine Power Assurance Checks within two weeks
These safety directives are aimed at preventing future tragedies and ensuring that no aircraft takes off without thorough technical vetting. Adding international weight to the incident, the U.S. government and Congress have also called for an investigation into the crash, given that the aircraft involved was manufactured by American aerospace giant Boeing. The inquiry will likely include a deeper evaluation of potential manufacturing defects or systemic failures. As investigations continue both in India and abroad, the focus remains on identifying the cause of the crash and implementing robust safety measures to protect passengers in the future.