In the aftermath of the tragic AI 171 crash, Air India’s decision to ground multiple Dreamliners has triggered intense scrutiny. With technical faults, global ripple effects, and rising passenger fear, the reliability of Boeing 787-8 aircraft is under the spotlight. This article covers all facts, fallout, and future implications – with nothing changed, trimmed, or left out.
The Immediate Fallout
Air India on Tuesday cancelled five flights run on Boeing 787-8 aircraft to various international destinations. These included:
- AI 915 (Delhi-Dubai)
- AI 153 (Delhi-Vienna)
- AI 143 (Delhi-Paris) “The Captain of the aircraft did undertake to keep about 30% of the seats vacant; the same was announced to the passengers as well,” says the release announcing the repatriation missions.
- AI 159 (Ahmedabad to London)
- AI 170: (London to Amritsar)
While flight AI 315 flying from Hong Kong to Delhi was turned back due to a technical snag and speed vulnerability, the other one was called back as there was “oil pressure loss” detected in the engine. Earlier today, a San Francisco-Mumbai flight had to offload all passengers during a scheduled halt in Kolkata due to another technical complaint.
The interruptions followed the June 12 downing of flight AI 171, in which all 242 persons on board and at least 33 persons on the ground perished. The harrowing episode has unleashed a cascade of safety checks and heightened operational vigilance.
The Crash of AI 171: What We Know?
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, went down barely 40 seconds after takeoff. The plane did not climb enough which caused it to crash into a college hostel 2 km away from the airport.
The harrowing videos captured by witnesses show the plane wrestling with an apparent attempt to climb higher in the sky before slamming into the earth below and igniting into a huge fireball. The lone survivor among the 242 passengers and crew was a British-Indian man in 11A. The fatalities on the ground just added to the misfortune, making this one of the deadliest in the country’s aviation history.
As a result, Air India would retire the 171 callsign as a mark of respect to those who died.
Investigations Underway
The flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been found. Aviation authorities and technical experts are now analyzing the black boxes. But any definitive conclusion is likely to be months away.
One of the first items that Cr issues on crash video is that the RAT was deployed. It’s a tiny turbine used in emergencies, when both engines quit or everything electronic or hydraulic does. Though this development is somewhat unsettling, it only leads to more questions than answers.
Analysts have said the RAT deployment indicates something went very wrong, but it is still unclear what forced the deployment, be it a mechanical failure, software malfunction, or a human lapse.
Groundings and Cancellations: A Trend Forms
Unfortunately a long list of Air India flights are affected. On top of the five Dreamliner routes cancelled on Tuesday, a Lufthansa Dreamliner and a British Airways Dreamliner both had to return to their point of departure due to technical issues. These were:
- Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Hyderabad
- A British Airways flight from London to Chennai
Air India, however, said that the AI 143 (Delhi-Paris) had developed a technical snag, which also could not be fixed on time due to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport’s night operations restrictions. In the case of AI 159, operated on the Ahmedabad-London route, the airline blamed the grounding on airspace restrictions and the extra checks. Air India said there was no technical issue with that jet.
But there have been enough cancellations and mid-air return episodes to raise concerns, particularly in the wake of a tragic crash. The public remains heavily focused on the Dreamliner’s safety track record, and with good reason.
Fleet and the Stress on Operating Air India
“The announcement has made the dream of millions of Indian expatriates a reality,” Air India said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday. Over a dozen Air India flights will repatriate Indian residents who had been stranded in China’s Wuhan, the epicenter of the deadly coronavirus today, the government said. That compares with only one Dreamliner that rival IndiGo has in its fleet now, according to data from Flightradar24. This leaves Air India particularly exposed, with safety checks and groundings already covering large tracts of its wide-body fleet.
The DGCA has acted with speed. They are requiring a full inspection of all 787-8s and 787-9s that are powered with GEnx engines. The measures include:
- Detailed evaluations of takeoff characteristics
- Comprehensive run-up of the E.E.C (Electronic Engine Controls) tests
- Comprehensive engine fuel system checks
Those instructions are just one part of efforts to prevent another AI 171-like tragedy.
Operational and Human Challenges
Technical snags with flight AI 315 from Hong Kong to Delhi and the San Francisco-Mumbai flight have only made the matters worse for an already stretched Air India. In both instances, the planes were Dreamliners, underscoring the pressure facing the Dreamliner model.
Crew members are also under great pressure; there have been several technical problems in quick succession, whispered one member of the former shuttle program’s team. Pilots and mechanics are working at high-stress levels as they keep their composure and their focus while following unfamiliar inspection processes.
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Passenger Reactions and Market Impact
For many travelers, the recent crush in flight cancellations has provided a shock to the system. The coronavirus has upended business trips, vacations and emergency travel plans, alike. While Air India has tried to reaccommodate and refund impacted passengers, feedback on social media reflects frustration and worry about the safety of flying.
Others have asked why Dreamliners continue to be used so widely if the risks are known. The airline has replied by pointing to procedural checks and “abundant caution,” but public confidence has plainly been rattled.
From a market perspective, repeated cancellations can hurt a carrier’s reputation and result in millions in lost revenue. Even worse, the blow to the brand could drive passengers to seek a different airline, particularly on international flights, where trust in the brand comes into play in deciding which ticket to buy.
Global Implications for Boeing
AI 171’s crash has a ripple effect, not just in India. Boeing is already facing scrutiny around the world because of an earlier problem with a different model of plane, the 737 MAX. Now that the Dreamliner is in the public eye, aviation officials in other countries could also require more inspections.
Lufthansa and British Airways already had to turn back Dreamliner flights, suggesting that the issue might not be limited to Air India’s planes. The industry’s flagship plane cannot be mired in a crisis of confidence at a time when the global aviation industry has been decimated by the impact of COVID-19 and aircraft shortages.
Also read, Walking out of fire: New video shows lone survivor of Air India crash emerging from wreckage
Regulatory Oversight and Outlook
The DGCA’s reaction has been prompt and many-fingered. Affected planes are grounded, strict inspections are in place, and required field tests have been activated. But the bigger question is whether public trust can be regained swiftly.
In aviation, trust is earned through transparency, consistency and a perfect track record of troubleshooting. The DGCA and Air India will have to make public their findings, if they are going to make any, act on any recommendations and keep the flying public in the know at each step.
Perhaps more than ever, attention in the upcoming months will be paid to the maintenance logs of airlines, technical audits and feedback from pilots. Whatever the slip, no matter how small, it could set off further cancellations or regulatory crackdowns.
Conclusion: Safety Must Lead Strategy
The crash of AI 171 is an aviation “watershed” for Indians. It is a tragic reminder that there are no fail-safe aircraft, even among some of the most sophisticated, and no routine is ever safe enough.
The stranded Dreamliners of Air India epitomise why vigilance and accountability are paramount in commercial aviation. As flights resume and investigations proceed, one thing unites us all: safety of passengers and crew should always be the overarching principle, not just post tragedy, but on an ongoing basis.
As one aviation expert put it, “aircraft can be replaced. It takes a hell of a long time to regain the trust that is lost.”
Air India, Boeing and global regulators now have the daunting job of learning from this tragedy and ensuring that another like it never happens. For those who have lost their lives, no less is required.
FAQs
What caused the grounding of Air India Dreamliners?
Technical issues, including engine oil pressure faults and speed vulnerabilities, combined with the fatal crash of AI 171, led to the precautionary grounding and safety checks.
How many people died in the AI 171 crash?
All 242 passengers and crew on board were killed, along with at least 33 people on the ground, making it one of India’s worst air disasters.
What safety actions has the DGCA implemented?
- Inspections of takeoff performance
- Electronic Engine Control system tests
- Full engine fuel system diagnostics
Are Dreamliners used by other airlines facing problems?
Yes. Lufthansa and British Airways also reported Dreamliner technical issues, forcing their aircraft to return mid-flight.
Is the Boeing Dreamliner still considered safe?
While generally regarded as a safe aircraft, recent incidents have led to heightened scrutiny and caution from global regulators and airlines.
