AI 171 crash fallout: DGCA order enhanced checks for Air India Dreamliners with GE engines

NEW DELHI: Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliners powered by General Electric GEnx engines will now function underneath enhanced security inspections. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued this directive a day after an AI Dreamliner’s (VT-ANB) accident crashed in Ahmedabad seconds after taking off for London, killing 241 individuals onboard and several other others within the constructing on the roof of which it had crashed.As a “preventive measure,” the regulator has directed AI to “carry out additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircrafts equipped with GEnx engines with immediate effect in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices.” While B787-8 are Dreamliners of AI, the B787-9 model was within the fleet of Vistara, which merged into AI final Nov.The extra checks mandated for AI embrace: “One time check before departure of flight from India 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. Closure of maintenance action based upon the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days on B787-8/9 aircraft at the earliest.”AI has to submit report of those checks to the DGCA for evaluation.Like all preliminary Dreamliners, VT-ANB had its share of troubles like windshield crack quickly after it was inducted in AL fleet in 2014. But Boeing was capable of overcome these teething troubles with its mid-range broad physique plane, with probably the most severe being overheating of lithium-ion batteries on the Dreamliner. In Jan 2013, all Dreamliners have been briefly grounded globally on account of security considerations associated to lithium-ion batteries. Once the systemic points have been sorted out, VT-ANB — like all plane — additionally had its share of different snags. Most lately, whereas flying as A! 148 from London to Hyderabad on Nov 17, 2021, it had diverted to Ankara on account of gas 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,” in accordance with flight knowledge website Cirium.In a press release, GE Aerospace stated: “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.”