The aviation world is still reeling from the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, that occurred just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 19, 2025. The crash resulted in the loss of at least 270 lives, most of them passengers, and has prompted a full-scale investigation into the cause of the disaster. As investigators comb through the wreckage, decoding the flight data and analyzing the cockpit recordings from the black boxes, new details are emerging about the aircraft’s maintenance history, the condition of its engines, and the airline’s future response.
Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran has provided some key insights into the aircraft’s maintenance history, aiming to dispel any assumptions and put to rest widespread speculation. In an interview with an Indian news channel, Chandrasekaran confirmed that both of the plane’s engines had “clean” histories. The right engine, he revealed, was newly installed in March 2025, while the left engine had been last serviced in 2023 and was scheduled for its next maintenance check in December 2025. These details are vital as they offer a closer look at the maintenance schedule and care that went into ensuring the aircraft’s airworthiness.
However, these statements have not quelled the growing questions surrounding the crash. While the airline assures the public that the engines were well-maintained, experts in the field suggest that the condition of an engine cannot always be determined by its age or scheduled maintenance. Kishore Chinta, a former investigator with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, noted that engine health is not solely determined by age. Chinta, who spoke to the BBC, explained that the Genx-1B engines used on the Boeing 787-8 are monitored by a system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), which constantly evaluates the engine’s performance and health. This system determines when maintenance or replacement is necessary, relying on data gathered from physical inspections and performance assessments.
However, Chinta emphasized that certain engine components, known as Life Limited Parts (LLPs), still have fixed lifespans of 15,000 to 20,000 cycles, with each engine start and shutdown counting as one cycle. These components play a critical role in the engine’s functioning, and their replacement is necessary when they reach the end of their useful life. Despite the engine’s advanced monitoring systems, these fixed parts may still require attention to ensure the engine’s continued safe operation.
As the investigation progresses, Air India has also announced a 15% reduction in its international operations on wide-body aircraft until mid-July. This decision, the airline explained, is driven by “compounding circumstances,” including enhanced safety checks, increased caution among crew and ground staff, and broader tensions in the Middle East. While these steps are necessary to ensure safety, they also reflect the airline’s commitment to rebuilding trust in its operations following this tragic event.
In addition to the 15% reduction, Air India has completed inspections on 26 of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. These inspections have cleared the aircraft for service, but further checks are still needed on the remaining planes in the fleet. The airline has committed to ensuring the safety of its entire fleet by adhering to rigorous safety protocols. The Indian aviation regulator has also stepped in, mandating additional safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as a preventive measure.
For Air India, this crash represents a significant challenge to its long-term transformation strategy. The airline, which was once a troubled state-owned carrier, was bought by Tata Sons in 2022, marking a significant shift in the airline’s future. Tata Sons, a conglomerate that also owns well-known brands like Tetley Tea and Jaguar Land Rover, has expressed a strong commitment to revitalizing Air India and positioning it as a key player in global aviation. However, the recent crash could potentially derail these plans, particularly as the airline navigates its newfound status as a privately-owned company.
Despite the setback, Air India remains determined to address the issues raised by the incident and continue its efforts to modernize and improve its services. The airline’s swift response to the crash, including the implementation of additional safety measures and its ongoing commitment to aircraft inspections, demonstrates its dedication to providing safe and reliable service.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on identifying the cause of the crash and ensuring that the airline learns from this tragedy. The black boxes recovered from the wreckage will provide crucial information to determine what went wrong and how future incidents can be prevented. Meanwhile, the families of the victims are left grappling with the aftermath of a loss that has devastated them and the wider community.
The aviation industry as a whole is also watching closely, as this crash raises important questions about aircraft maintenance, safety standards, and the ongoing challenges faced by airlines around the world. The development of advanced engine monitoring systems like FADEC and the implementation of more stringent safety checks are critical steps in ensuring the safety of passengers. However, as this tragedy shows, even with modern technology and robust maintenance practices, accidents can still occur. This underscores the importance of continued vigilance, transparency, and accountability within the airline industry.
As the world waits for answers, the tragedy of the Air India crash serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of air travel, and the responsibility that airlines, regulators, and governments share in ensuring the safety of passengers. The investigation into the crash will continue in the coming weeks and months, with further updates expected as more information becomes available.
The loss of 270 lives in this incident is a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety, transparency, and responsibility in the aviation industry. While Air India faces a difficult road ahead, it is hoped that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to meaningful improvements in aviation safety, preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the thoughts of the world are with the victims and their families, as well as the communities affected by this devastating event. May the memory of those lost in the crash inspire meaningful change in the pursuit of safer skies for all.
