Rising Safety Concerns Following Air India Flight Incidents
New Delhi – In a strong move that underscores growing concern over flight safety, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has called for the immediate grounding of all Boeing 787 aircraft in India. This demand comes after two separate technical malfunctions occurred on Air India-operated Dreamliners within the span of a week.
Two Critical Technical Failures Raise Alarm
The federation’s letter points to recent malfunctions on Air India Flight AI-154, a Vienna to Delhi service, and Flight AI-117, arriving in Birmingham from India.
- AI-154 Incident (October 9): The flight was diverted to Dubai mid-journey after experiencing multiple system failures, including autopilot malfunction, flight control issues, and deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT).
- AI-117 Incident (October 4): In another alarming event, the RAT deployed unexpectedly during the aircraft’s final approach into Birmingham. Despite the deployment, the flight landed safely.
Allegations of Poor Maintenance and Engineering Practices
The pilot body has attributed the incidents to what they describe as “poor serviceability” by Air India, suggesting a decline in maintenance standards following the hiring of new engineers. These new hires have reportedly replaced technicians from AIESL (Air India Engineering Services Limited), formerly part of the government sector.
Air India’s Rebuttal: “Safety Remains Top Priority”
In response to the allegations, Air India has firmly denied claims of electrical failures or systemic faults. The airline issued a clarification:
- The AI-154 rerouting was due to a technical snag, but the aircraft landed safely, and passengers were duly informed, offered refreshments, and reached Delhi without further incident.
- On the AI-117 RAT deployment, Air India emphasized that all electrical and hydraulic systems were functioning normally, and that the incident was similar to “un-commanded deployments” reported by other airlines in Boeing’s global records.
Preliminary Investigation and Regulatory Compliance
Air India stated that it had notified the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and submitted a preliminary report. The aircraft involved in both incidents has since been cleared for service after inspections.
The airline reaffirmed its commitment:
“At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority.”
Reference to the AI-171 Crash Rekindles Debate
The pilots’ letter also made a pointed reference to the tragic crash of AI-171 on June 12, which claimed the lives of 260 people, including passengers, crew, and residents on the ground. The London-bound Boeing 787 crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, having failed to generate adequate thrust.
The pilots expressed concern that similar failures are not being thoroughly investigated, warning that this negligence could compromise the overall safety of air travel in the country.
Urgent Call to Action by Pilots’ Federation
In their communication to Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, the Federation of Indian Pilots stressed the need for a comprehensive probe into repeated technical anomalies in Boeing 787 aircraft operated domestically. Their message was clear: passenger safety must not be jeopardized by oversight or operational shortcuts.
