Air India chair says crashed plane and engines had ‘clean history’

Air India Chair Affirms Clean Record of Crashed Boeing Dreamliner

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in last week’s fatal Air India crash maintained a “clean history,” with both engines recently serviced, Air India chair N Chandrasekaran confirmed as investigations into India’s deadliest air disaster in nearly three decades intensify. The crash occurred just one minute after Flight AI-171 departed Ahmedabad en route to London, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board, as well as casualties on the ground near a medical college where the aircraft came down.

Chandrasekaran, who also leads Air India’s parent company Tata Group, addressed mounting speculation regarding the cause of the accident. Speaking to the Economic Times, he emphasized that the aircraft and its engines had no prior issues. The Dreamliner’s right engine had been newly installed in March, while the left engine, last serviced in 2023, was not due for maintenance until December. “Both engine histories are clean,” he stated, underscoring the absence of mechanical concerns prior to the crash.

The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, were highly experienced professionals with over 11,500 and 3,400 flying hours respectively. Chandrasekaran described them as “excellent pilots and great professionals,” cautioning against premature conclusions about human error or other factors.

Ongoing Investigation and Industry Implications

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry, supported by aviation authorities from the United Kingdom and the United States. Boeing and GE Aerospace, manufacturers of the aircraft and its engines, are cooperating closely with investigators. Chandrasekaran noted his direct communication with both companies at the highest levels. The AAIB is currently analyzing the aircraft’s black boxes but has yet to release any findings.

Preliminary analysis by aviation experts of video footage from the crash site revealed the deployment of the jet’s ram air turbine, an emergency device activated during electrical or engine failure, shortly after takeoff. This incident marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, delivering a significant blow to Boeing’s efforts to restore confidence following previous safety crises, including the 737 Max disasters.

The tragedy poses a critical challenge for Air India and its Vihaan.AI transformation program, which aims to establish the airline as a “world-class global airline” within five years. It also tests Tata Group’s strategy to revitalize Air India since its acquisition from state ownership in 2022, as well as India’s broader ambitions in the aviation sector.

In response to the crash, Air India announced a 15% reduction in long-haul services, attributing the decision to enhanced safety inspections and airspace restrictions related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The airline affirmed that most inspections have been completed, providing reassurance regarding its safety protocols.

The incident is expected to tighten conditions in the aviation insurance market, which is already under pressure in India. Heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential policy reforms are anticipated as global attention focuses on the safety and oversight of India’s rapidly expanding aviation industry. World leaders have expressed condolences, highlighting both the human tragedy and the broader implications for the sector’s reputation and future growth.