Why is News :
- In a major aviation tragedy, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed within seconds of take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety inspections across Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 fleet.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Type: Regulatory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India
Headquarters: New Delhi
Primary Role: Ensures air safety and enforces civil airworthiness standards in India
International Coordination: Works with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Key Functions:
Air Safety & Regulation:
- Conducts regular inspections of aircraft and airlines
- Investigates air accidents/incidents and ensures corrective actions
- Enforces civil air regulations and airworthiness norms
Licensing & Certification:
- Issues licenses to pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and other aviation personnel
Air Traffic Management Support:
- Coordinates with Airports Authority of India (AAI) for safe and efficient air traffic control
- Assists in development of ATC systems and technologies
Infrastructure Development:
- Assists in airport modernization and expansion
- Promotes growth of the aviation industry
Key Highlights of the Incident:
- Crash Location: Near Ahmedabad Airport, shortly after take-off.
- Aircraft Model: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with Genx engines.
- Fatalities: 241 passengers and crew on board perished.
- Pilots:
- Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8000+ flying hours)
- Co-pilot Clive Kunder (1000+ flying hours)
- Emergency Call: A Mayday call was issued but no further communication followed.
- Impact Site: The aircraft hit a medical college building and burst into flames.
Possible Causes Under Investigation:
Twin-engine failure suspected due to:
- Bird hit
- Contaminated or blocked fuel lines
- Failure in both engines (rare scenario)
- Black box recovered; investigation underway.
- International assistance: Experts from US and UK will join Indian authorities.
Regulatory Action by DGCA:
Immediate Maintenance Directives to Air India:
- Mandatory one-time checks on Boeing 787-8/9 fleet from June 15, 2025
Inspection areas include:
- Fuel parameter monitoring
- Cabin air compressor systems
- Electronic engine control system
- Hydraulic systems and oil system checks
- Flight control system inspections
- Power assurance tests and review of repetitive snags in last 15 days
- Report submission to DGCA made mandatory
Structural and Systemic Concerns:
Aircraft Design Concerns:
- The 787 has faced prior scrutiny over engine safety, lithium-ion battery failures, and mid-air drop incidents.
Oversight Gaps:
- Need for improved predictive maintenance, real-time flight monitoring, and crew training for rare emergencies.
Civil Aviation Infrastructure in India:
- Increasing fleet size must be matched with upgraded safety regulations and investigation capabilities.
Accountability & Transparency:
- Reports must be made public, and action should include both technical upgrades and institutional reforms.
Broader Implications:
- Public trust in air safety could be affected without swift and transparent investigation.
- India’s growing aviation sector must ensure preventive, not reactive, safety measures
- Push for indigenous aviation technology (e.g., UDAN scheme aircraft, HAL’s transport fleet) may gain urgency.
- International scrutiny over Boeing’s safety record (post 737 MAX and 787 issues) may intensify.
UPSC Relevance :
GS Paper III – Disaster Management / Infrastructure / Science & Tech (Aviation)
Mains Question:
Q. The Air India Dreamliner crash exposes vulnerabilities in India’s civil aviation ecosystem. Discuss the systemic and regulatory reforms needed to ensure air safety in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.