New Delhi: The right engine of the nearly 12-year-old Air India aircraft that crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12 had been overhauled and reinstalled in March this year, PTI reported on Saturday, citing unnamed airport officials. The left engine had also undergone inspection in April 2025, as per the engine manufacturer’s protocol.
Officials claimed that both engines and the aircraft were functioning without any reported issues. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171, tragically crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area shortly after departing from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Most onboard killed instantly
The crash resulted in the death of nearly all on board — 241 out of 242 passengers and crew — and several people on the ground, bringing the total toll to about 260. As per PTI, officials stated that the aircraft had gone through comprehensive maintenance in June 2023 and was due for its next major checks in December 2025.
In the wake of the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a directive for enhanced safety inspections of the Dreamliner fleet. On Saturday, Air India said it had already completed the inspections on nine of its 33 Boeing 787 aircraft.
“Air India is in the process of completing the one-time safety checks directed by the Indian aviation regulator, DGCA. These checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations. Air India has completed such checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft and are on track to complete this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeline provided by the regulator,” the airline said.
Compensation, delays announced
Air India operates 26 legacy Boeing 787-8s and seven Boeing 787-9s. The airline also noted that these inspections may cause longer turnaround times and potential delays, especially on long-haul routes to airports with operational curfews. As part of support measures, Air India has announced an interim payment of ₹25 lakh to families of victims and survivors of the crash. This amount is in addition to the ₹1 crore compensation already declared by parent company Tata Sons.
