Air India has been directed to carry out additional checks on its Boeing 787-8 and -9 series aircraft which are powered by the GEnx engine from midnight June 14-15 before a flight departs from India.
The directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Indian aviation watchdog, comes a day after an Air India Boeing 787-8 operating from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed minutes after take-off. Incidentally this was the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 aircraft. Air India’s 787s have attracted negative Indian media attention before.
Boeing had on April 30 said that the 787 fleet surpassed 1 billion passengers faster than any widebody commercial airplane in history, accomplishing the feat in less than 14 years since entering service. The global 787 fleet of more than 1,175 airplanes has flown nearly 5 million flights covering more than 30 million flight hours, the Boeing statement added.
There were 242 passengers and crew on board the ill-fated Air India aircraft and there is only one survivor. The casualty figure is actually higher as the aircraft hit a medical college where there were casualties.
The latest DGCA order asks Air India to carry out “inspection of fuel parameter monitoring and associated systems checks,” apart from “Inspection of cabin air compressors and associated systems.”
Besides Air India has been asked to carry out electronic engine control-system tests and engine fuel driven actuator-operational test and oil system check as also check the serviceability of the hydraulic system. Air India has also been asked to review its take-off parameters.
The airline has also been directed to introduce “Flight Control Inspection” at transit inspection till further notice from the DGCA. The airline has also been asked to carry out “Power Assurance Checks” within two weeks.
Air India has further been told to send a report to the DGCA on closure of maintenance action based on the review of the repetitive snags during the last 15 days on its Boeing 787-8/9 at the earliest. The airline has to submit these reports to the DGCA.
No grounding of Boeing 787 fleet in India for now
The enhanced surveillance steps come on a day when media reports appeared that India was planning to ground its Boeing 787 fleet following the crash.
The 787 fleet will likely be grounded for a safety review of the widebody airliner, the sources said, adding that talks between India and US agencies are underway in this regard.
The latest action of DGCA puts an end to the rumors of grounding for now.
Boeing responds to crash
Soon after the crash Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said, “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13.
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