New Delhi: In the wake of the tragic Air India flight AI-171 crash on June 12 involving a Boeing 787-800 aircraft en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent directive mandating enhanced safety inspections on all Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft operated by Air India.
The directive, dated June 13, comes as a preventive measure following the incident and instructs Air India to undertake specific technical and operational checks on all Dreamliners equipped with Genx engines, in coordination with DGCA officers.
The enhanced inspection protocol, effective from June 15, includes a one-time comprehensive check before any flight departs from India. This will cover:
-
Inspection of Fuel Parameter Monitoring and associated system checks.
-
Inspection of Cabin air compressor and associated systems.
-
Electronic Engine Control – System Test.
-
Engine Fuel Driven Actuator – Operational Test and oil system check.
-
Serviceability check of Hydraulic system.
-
Review of Take-off parameters.
Additionally, the DGCA has called for the introduction of a new ‘Flight Control Inspection’ during transit checks and ordered power assurance checks to be completed within two weeks. The aviation authority has also instructed Air India to conclude maintenance reviews based on any recurring issues reported on Dreamliners over the past 15 days.
The airline has been directed to submit a detailed report of all checks to the DGCA for evaluation.
Air India plane crash
The Air India plane crash on June 12, 2025, involved a Boeing 787-800 operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 241 people on board. Preliminary investigations suggest possible engine failure or loss of lift. The crash has prompted an emergency safety inspection of all similar aircraft in Air India’s fleet by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.