After Ahmedabad Tragedy, DGCA Orders Deep Audit of Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet

National News: Air India flight flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June crashed shortly after AI-171 takeoff. The accident took place on a medical college campus in Ahmedabad. The aircraft had 230 passengers and 11 crew members. 241 people died in this terrible accident, while a passenger survived miraculously and treatment is going on in the hospital.

What DGCA has ordered?

After this accident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict steps and ordered a comprehensive technical inquiry of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.

This investigation will start on June 15 and includes the following points:

1. Intensive examination of fuel system

• Fuel parameter monitoring system check
• Checking the functionality of fuel-powered actuators
• Review of the entire fuel supply system

2. Engine and Cabin System Check

• Cabin Air Compressor and Related System
• Electronic engine control (eEC) system
• Genx investigating the position of the engine

3. Hydraulic and Flight Control System

• Investigation of hydraulic system status
• Review of takeoff parameters
• Flight control check during transit inspection until next notice mandatory

4. Other guidelines

• Power Assurance Test compulsory within two weeks
• DGCA will have to prepare a report of technical faults in the last 15 days and submit it to DGCA
• All activities will be in coordination with regional DGCA offices

Question on Air India

Former DGCA Joint Secretary Sanat Kaul said in a media conversation that Air India had been warned about security- and maintenance-related flaws. This incident has again raised the question whether Air India is taking adequate care of its aircraft.

Bowing on Boeing 787 has been imposed earlier also

Significantly, in 2013 also, after a fire in Lithium-ion batteries of a Boeing 787, it was grounded for three months worldwide. In such a situation, if the DGCA investigation confirms a serious technical flaw, flight operations may be stopped for a long time.
The Ahmedabad accident has raised serious questions for both Air India and Boeing. This technical investigation of DGCA can prove to be a major milestone for India's aviation security in the coming time.