Air India Boeing 787 Aircraft Incident

Air India Boeing 787 Aircraft Incident

Why in News? 

Recently, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed in Meghaninagar shortly after takeoff, with a total of 242 passengers on board. This aircraft accident is being considered as one of the most dangerous incidents to date.

Air India Boeing 787 Aircraft Incident Details

• Accident:
  • On 12 June 2025, at 1:39 PM, Air India flight number AI171 took off from Ahmedabad Airport bound for London Gatwick Airport.
  • Shortly after takeoff, the pilot sent out a MayDay signal, but the ATC was unable to re-establish communication with the aircraft.
  • Just minutes into the flight, the plane crashed approximately 15 km away in Meghaninagar, striking the hostel building of a medical college.
• Passengers:
  • A total of 242 people were on board this flight, including 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants. Additionally, there were 12 crew members.
  • A total of 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian were among those on board the flight.
    • A British-Indian man seated on seat 11A was found miraculously alive after the crash.
• Cause:
  • After takeoff, the landing gear, which is typically retracted, remained deployed.
  • The wing flaps, essential for generating lift, were retracted too early, significantly weakening the aircraft’s lift power, leading it to stall.
• Investigation:
  • Given the seriousness of the accident, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has constituted a high-level investigation committee.
  • An in-depth analysis of the aircraft’s black box recordings and ATC communications is currently underway.

What is Boeing 787 Dreamliner?

• Introduction:
  • The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is considered a marvel of modern aviation technology.
  • This aircraft falls under the mid-size category, featuring twin engines and a wide-body layout, built primarily for extended international journeys.
  • Its primary goals are to enhance passenger comfort and reduce fuel consumption.
• Development:
  • The concept of this advanced aircraft began in 2003 as the “7E7 Project“, which later became known as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
  • Through nearly 500,000 online votes, it was named “Dreamliner”, reflecting its modern features and dream-like flight experience.
  • The aircraft had its first flight on 15 December 2009, but due to technical issues and production delays, it entered commercial service in October 2011, with ANA (All Nippon Airways) receiving the first unit.
  • Air India holds the distinction of being the inaugural airline in India to introduce this model into service.
    • Back in 2012, the country welcomed its first 787-8 variant from Boeing’s South Carolina facility, which continues to serve on major long-distance overseas routes.
    • Today, the Boeing 787 is actively serving Delhi to New York and Mumbai to London intercontinental routes.
• Features:
  • 50% of the aircraft’s structure is made of composite materials (like carbon fiber), making it lighter, stronger, and more fuel-efficient.
  • It features the largest windows in commercial aviation (measuring 27×47 cm), enhancing natural light and visual experience.
  • The cabin pressure is maintained at a level equivalent to 6,000 feet altitude, reducing passenger fatigue.
  • LED lighting systems help passengers’ body clocks adjust during long flights.
  • Overhead storage is more spacious and user-friendly.
  • The Boeing 787 comes with two engine options – General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
    • These engines not only produce 60% less noise but also perform efficiently at higher altitudes and speeds.
  • Its cruise speed is Mach 0.85, making it ideal for long-distance travel.
  • Features such as lower noise levels, better air quality, and comfortable seating make this aircraft unique.
  • Most airlines equip it with in-flight entertainment systems, USB charging ports, and flat-bed seats in business class.
• Main Models:
• There are three main models:
  • 787-8: Carries 248 passengers with a range of approx. 13,500 km.
  • 787-9: Carries 296 passengers and covers up to 14,000 km.
  • 787-10: Carries 336 passengers with a range of 11,700 km.
• This aircraft prioritizes point-to-point connectivity over the traditional hub-to-hub model.

Deadliest Air Disasters in Aviation History

• Tenerife Runway Collision – On 27 March 1977, at Los Rodeos Airport in Spain’s Canary Islands, two Boeing 747 aircraft — Pan Am 1736 and KLM 4805 — collided on the same runway due to dense fog and communication failure, leading to the death of 583 people.
• Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision – On 12 November 1996, in Charkhi Dadri, India, aircraft from Kazakhstan Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines collided mid-air. Both planes were flying in the same path over Delhi’s airspace, and due to miscommunication, the collision occurred. With 349 deaths, it is regarded as the deadliest mid-air crash to date.
• Turkish Airlines Design Flaw – On 3 March 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed near Paris. The aircraft had a serious cargo door design flaw, which caused the door to open mid-air due to pressure, leading to loss of control. 346 passengers died in this accident.
• Air India Flight 182 Bombing – On 23 June 1985, Air India Flight 182 exploded while flying over Ireland’s airspace. The flight was en route from Canada to India, and the bombing was allegedly the result of a Khalistan separatist conspiracy. 329 passengers lost their lives.
• Saudia Flight 163 – On 19 August 1980, Saudia Flight 163, flying from Riyadh to Jeddah, caught fire shortly after takeoff. Although the pilot successfully returned and landed the aircraft in Riyadh, delays in emergency evacuation meant the passengers could not be rescued in time. 301 people died due to suffocation.
• Japan Airlines Tragedy – On 12 August 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123, en route from Tokyo to Osaka, suffered a pressure loss shortly after takeoff, which led to the failure of its control system. The aircraft crashed in a mountainous region, resulting in the death of 520 people.

Effective Measures to Reduce Air Accidents

• Pilot Training: The role of the pilot is most critical in aircraft operation. If a pilot is not fully trained or is mentally fatigued, decision-making ability is impaired. Therefore, mandatory training programs, simulator-based exercises, and regular mental health evaluations must be implemented.
• Technical Inspection: Every aircraft must undergo thorough inspection and high-quality maintenance at predetermined intervals. According to international regulations, it is essential to update automated diagnostic systems and conduct continuous engineering inspections of all aircraft components.
• Air Traffic Control Monitoring: The accuracy and quick decision-making ability of Air Traffic Control (ATC) are crucial in preventing incidents such as mid-air collisions. The ATC system should be equipped with advanced radar technology, automated collision warning systems, and AI-based monitoring systems.

Weather Forecasting: Poor weather is often at the root of many air accidents. In such situations, pilots rely entirely on their instruments and ATC. Therefore, it is vital to provide real-time weather data before and during the flight. With the help of satellite technology and cloud computing, weather predictions can be made more accurate and detailed.