India Inspects All Boeing 787s After Deadly Crash

AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI – June 14, 2025 – India’s aviation boss has ordered a fast inspection of all Boeing 787 planes used by Indian airlines. This comes after a terrible Air India crash earlier this week killed 270 people. The plane, a Boeing 787-8, crashed soon after taking off from Ahmedabad, making it the deadliest plane crash in over ten years.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday that all 34 Boeing 787s in India will be checked. "Eight planes have already been looked at, and the rest will be checked very quickly," he said. The planes are not stopped from flying yet, but officials are thinking about it.

Air India has 33 of these planes, and IndiGo has one. The checks will look at engines, controls, and fuel systems. The crash left only one person alive out of 242 passengers and crew.

What Went Wrong?
The plane quickly lost height after take-off and exploded when it hit buildings. Investigators are looking at engine problems, faulty flaps, and if the landing gear stayed out. A government group will give a full report in three months. Air India's boss said they don't know what caused the crash yet.

Families in Pain
Many of the 270 bodies found were badly burned. Identifying them is very slow, needing DNA and dental records. Families are waiting at the hospital, very upset. "Nobody is telling us anything. We just want to know when we can take them home," cried one man who lost four family members.

Air India is giving money to victims' families and the only survivor. They will get about $29,000 now, plus another $115,000 later. The airline is working to help families get their loved ones' remains. This crash has put a dark cloud over India’s airline safety. The Minister promised to make any needed changes so it doesn’t happen again. India is mourning a great loss.

India Orders Urgent Inspection of Boeing 787 Fleet Following Air India Catastrophe

AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI – June 14, 2025 – India’s aviation regulatory body has initiated an urgent mandate for the comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by domestic carriers. This directive follows a devastating Air India crash earlier this week, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, which claimed 270 lives shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. This incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over a decade.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed Saturday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered extended surveillance of all 34 Boeing 787s in India’s operational fleet. “Eight aircraft have already undergone inspection, with the remainder to be examined with immediate urgency,” Naidu stated. While a full grounding of the fleet has not yet occurred, government sources indicate this possibility is under active investigation.

Air India operates 33 of these aircraft, while IndiGo operates one. The inspections will encompass thorough engine assessments, electronic engine control tests, take-off parameter reviews, and detailed checks on fuel systems, particularly for models equipped with GEnx engines. These measures are a direct consequence of the crash, which left only one survivor from 242 passengers and crew.

Preliminary Findings and Corporate Response
Investigations are provisionally focused on multiple contributing factors: potential engine thrust anomalies, malfunctioning flaps, and reports suggesting the landing gear remained extended post-takeoff. Authorities maintain an open mind, with a government-appointed panel expected to issue a full report within three months. The tragedy casts a severe shadow over Air India’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its image under Tata Group ownership. Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran acknowledged the company's commitment to understanding the cause but admitted, "We don't know right now."

Humanitarian Crisis: Identification Challenges
The human toll of the disaster continues to unfold. With most of the 270 recovered bodies severely burned, the identification process has been painstakingly slow, relying heavily on DNA analysis and dental record comparisons. Forensic dentist Dr. Jaishankar Pillai reported that dental data for 135 victims has been collected. Only 11 DNA matches have been confirmed so far, with three bodies slated for return to families by Saturday evening. Grieving relatives at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital have expressed acute frustration over the lack of clarity and protracted wait times.

Air India has announced financial assistance, including an interim payment of ₹2.5 million (approximately $29,000) for each bereaved family, supplementing the ₹10 million ($115,000) already pledged by the Tata Group. CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed ongoing efforts to reunite next of kin with remains and personal effects.

The crash has precipitated a major reckoning for India’s aviation safety protocols and could significantly influence future procurement and regulatory oversight. Minister Naidu affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to implementing all recommended safety reforms.

India Orders Unprecedented Boeing 787 Fleet Scrutiny Following Catastrophic Air India Disaster Claiming 270 Lives

AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI – June 14, 2025 – India’s aviation regulatory authority has issued an urgent and unprecedented directive for the comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 787 aircraft within its domestic operational fleet. This decisive action follows the devastating Air India crash earlier this week, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that plummeted shortly after its Ahmedabad takeoff en route to London Gatwick, resulting in 270 fatalities. The incident represents the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over a decade.

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed Saturday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered extended surveillance for all 34 Boeing 787s. “Eight aircraft have already undergone initial inspection, with the remainder slated for examination with immediate urgency,” Naidu stated. While a full grounding of the fleet has not yet been enacted, government sources indicate this possibility is under vigorous review.

Air India, operating 33 of these aircraft, along with IndiGo’s single 787, will be subject to rigorous checks encompassing comprehensive engine assessments, electronic engine control diagnostics, take-off parameter reviews, and meticulous fuel system inspections, particularly for models equipped with GEnx engines. These measures are a direct consequence of the crash, which tragically yielded only one survivor from a total of 242 passengers and crew.

Investigation Underway and Corporate Repercussions
Preliminary investigations are provisionally centered on a confluence of factors: putative engine thrust issues, suspected flap malfunctions, and reports indicating the landing gear remained extended during the initial ascent. Authorities maintain that all theories remain on the table, with a government-appointed panel anticipated to release a comprehensive report within three months. The tragedy casts a severe pall over Air India’s ongoing brand rejuvenation efforts under Tata Group’s ownership, a process initiated in 2022. Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran articulated the company’s profound desire for clarity but conceded, “We don’t know right now.”

Humanitarian Crisis: Agonizing Identification Process
The human catastrophe of the disaster continues to unfold. With the vast majority of the 270 recovered bodies severely carbonized, the identification process has proven painstakingly protracted, necessitating intensive DNA analysis and meticulous dental record comparisons. Forensic dentist Dr. Jaishankar Pillai reported that dental data for 135 victims has been collected thus far, with only 11 DNA matches confirmed. Three bodies are scheduled for repatriation to families by Saturday evening. Grieving relatives, thronging Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, have expressed acute frustration over the protracted delays and dearth of definitive information.

Air India has announced financial remuneration, including an interim payment of ₹2.5 million (approximately $29,000 USD) for each bereaved family, supplementing the ₹10 million ($115,000 USD) previously pledged by the Tata Group. CEO Campbell Wilson affirmed the airline’s commitment to facilitating the reunification of next of kin with remains and personal effects.

The crash has precipitated a profound reckoning for India’s burgeoning aviation sector, prompting critical evaluations of safety protocols. Its fallout is poised to significantly influence future aircraft procurement, fleet strategy, and regulatory oversight. Minister Naidu underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to implementing all recommended safety reforms, though he refrained from engaging media questions. As candlelight vigils are held nationwide, India collectively mourns not merely the colossal loss of life but the severe breach of public trust in its national carrier.