Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India under investigation following crash incident in India
The Indian government is scrambling to examine all Boeing 787 planes after a catastrophic crash of an Air India flight on June 12, 2025, that took at least 270 lives. Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the situation during a media briefing in New Delhi, revealing that the authorities were probing various possibilities concerning the crash.
The aviation regulator ordered Air India to carry out additional maintenance inspections on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines. These checks included assessments of certain take-off parameters, electronic engine control tests, and engine fuel-related assessments[3]. Naidu added that the government had instructed the extended surveillance of the 787 planes, with 34 housed in the Indian fleet.
Air India operates 33 Boeing 787s, and IndiGo, its rival airline, has one. However, the planes are yet to be grounded, although the Indian government is reportedly contemplating that as a possible option[1]. Investigations are focusing on factors like engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained unlocked during the takeoff and subsequent crash.[1]
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with 242 people on board and bound for Britain's Gatwick Airport, lost altitude shortly after takeoff before bursting into flames as it collided with buildings below. Only one passenger survived the tragic ordeal while others perished, with the plane striking an Ahmedabad medical college's hostel as it came crashing down[1][2].
The disaster has cast a grim shadow over Air India, which has been grappling for years to re-establish its reputation and modernize its fleet following the Tata Group’s acquisition of the airline from the Indian government in 2022[2]. Tata's chairman remains mystified about the events[2]. A government panel is investigating the crash, with a report expected in three months. The objective is to enhance safety across the board[2].
The wreckage left countless family members in a state of anxiety as they awaited the return of their loved ones' remains at a local hospital. Doctors were working round the clock to gather dental samples from the deceased individuals to facilitate identification checks and DNA profiling[3]. Relatives of the victims expressed frustration over the lack of official information and appealed for updates on the release of their family members' bodies[1].
The disaster has left a deep emotional scar on the medical college staff, as many of the deceased individuals were colleagues and friends[3]. "Most of us are struggling with our emotions and are mentally disturbed because of the loss of friends and colleagues," said a doctor who wished to remain anonymous. The loss of several colleagues and friends in this tragic incident is unbearable.[1]
The government is exploring all avenues to secure the safety of Boeing 787 planes in the Indian transportation industry, following the devastating crash of an Air India flight on June 12, 2025. The extended surveillance and additional maintenance checks on these aircraft are part of the general-news ongoing investigations, focusing on factors like engine thrust, flaps, and unlocked landing gear. The disaster has triggered emotions within multiple sectors, such as finance, with the Tata Group's chairman expressing perplexity about the events, and crime-and-justice, as relatives of the victims demand transparency concerning the release of their family members' bodies.
