India’s aviation regulator has mandated urgent inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft in the country after a catastrophic Air India crash killed at least 279 people this week. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the move on Saturday, stating that authorities are exploring all possible causes behind the disaster.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed Air India to conduct enhanced maintenance checks on its Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, specifically those equipped with GEnx engines. The inspections will include assessments of take-off parameters, electronic engine control tests, and fuel system examinations.
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“We have ordered expanded surveillance of all 787s in India’s fleet—34 in total. Eight have already been inspected, and the rest will be completed immediately,” Naidu said during a press briefing in New Delhi. While Air India operates 33 of these aircraft, rival carrier IndiGo has one.
So far, the planes have not been grounded, but government sources told Reuters that suspending operations remains an option under consideration.
Investigating the Crash
The Air India flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted and erupted into a fireball upon impact, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade.
Only one person survived, while the rest perished as the plane struck a medical college hostel. Forensic teams are still searching for the second black box to determine why the aircraft lost altitude so abruptly.
Authorities are examining multiple factors, including engine thrust, flap malfunctions, and why the landing gear remained extended during takeoff.
Victim Identification Efforts
Recovery teams have retrieved 270 bodies from the crash site, but identifying the remains has proven difficult due to severe burns. Dental records and DNA profiling are being used to confirm identities, with forensic teams working around the clock.
Dhaval Gameti of B.J. Medical College confirmed that dental records of 135 victims have been collected so far. However, grieving families are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow process.
Families Demand Answers
Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four relatives in the crash, expressed anguish over the lack of information. “We have lost our children… we don’t understand what’s happening. Please help us get answers,” he pleaded outside an Ahmedabad hospital.
Another bereaved father, awaiting the remains of his son, Harshad Patel, said authorities told him DNA testing could take 72 hours. “They’re trying to help, but our patience is wearing thin,” he said.
Air India’s Reputation at Stake
The tragedy has dealt a severe blow to Air India, which has been working to rebuild its image since the Tata Group acquired it from the government in 2022. Tata’s chairman acknowledged the crisis but stated that the cause of the crash remains unclear.
As investigations continue, the aviation industry watches closely, with Boeing facing renewed scrutiny over the safety of its 787 Dreamliners.
