NEW DELHI: Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliners powered by General Electric GEnx engines will now operate under enhanced safety inspections. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued this directive a day after an AI Dreamliner’s (VT-ANB) accident. The aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad seconds after taking off for London. The crash killed 241 people onboard. It also killed several others in the building on the roof of which it had crashed.
Regulators Direct Air India for Extra Tests
As a “preventive measure,” the regulator has directed Air India. They must “carry out additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircrafts equipped with GEnx engines.” This should be done “with immediate effect” and in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices. B787-8 are Dreamliners of Air India. The B787-9 version was in Vistara’s fleet. Vistara merged into Air India last Nov.
The additional checks mandated for Air India include: “One time check before departure of flight from India. This will start from June 15, 2025, (12 am) onwards. 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. ‘Flight control inspection’ to be introduced in transit inspection till further notice. Power assurance checks to be carried out within two weeks. Maintenance action should be closed as soon as possible. This should be based on the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days on B787-8/9 aircraft.”Air India has to submit report of these checks to the DGCA for review.
Dreamliners has had it’s share of Troubles
Like all initial Dreamliners, VT-ANB had its share of troubles. It experienced a windshield crack soon after it was inducted into the AL fleet in 2014. Boeing overcame these teething troubles with its mid-range wide body aircraft. The most serious issue was the overheating of lithium-ion batteries on the Dreamliner. In Jan 2013, all Dreamliners were briefly grounded globally due to safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries. Once the systemic issues were sorted out, VT-ANB — like all aircraft — also had its share of other snags. Most recently, on Nov 17, 2021, AI 148 was flying from London to Hyderabad. It had to divert to Ankara. The diversion was due to a fuel leak.
“There are 1,148 Boeing 787 variants in service globally, with an average age of 7.5 years old. Air India had 34 of the Boeing 787 in service at the time of the incident, including this aircraft. The airline has an additional 20 787 on order and letter of intent for options an additional 24 aircraft. In total, Air India has 190 aircraft, with an average age of 8.4 years old,” according to flight data site Cirium.
Statement by GE Aerospace
In a statement, GE Aerospace said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Air India Flight AI-171. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those impacted. We have activated our emergency response team, and we are prepared to support our customer and the investigation.”
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