Camilla Jessen
Just days before the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171, India’s aviation safety regulator warned of serious safety lapses.
Air India insists its Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner was well maintained and free of mechanical issues before takeoff.
But an explosive report has revealed that the airline received multiple safety warnings from India’s aviation regulator in the days leading up to the fatal crash of Flight 171 that killed nearly 300 people.
Minutes after departing Ahmedabad for London on June 12, Flight 171 caught fire and crashed into a residential area, claiming 241 lives onboard.
The cause of the disaster remains under investigation, though aircraft data and cockpit voice recorders are now being analyzed for crucial clues.
Overdue Safety Checks
Despite the airline’s assurances, citing recent engine overhauls and routine inspections, documents obtained by Reuters show that India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had flagged several Air India planes for skipped safety inspections.
The issues included emergency escape slides that hadn’t been checked as required.
One Airbus A320 continued flying to Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah with safety inspections delayed more than a month.
Another Airbus A319 missed its inspection by over three months, while a third plane had a two-day delay.
The DGCA sent written warnings, describing the situation as evidence of “weak procedural control” and “negligent oversight.”
Regulators noted that some aircraft were being flown with potentially unsafe emergency gear, violating standard airworthiness rules, and that Air India was slow to respond to the agency’s requests.
Even though the notices were not tied directly to Flight 171, their timing—just days before the crash—has fueled concern over systemic safety gaps.
Airline Steps Back
Air India has not explained why safety violations were allowed across its fleet.
The airline announced on social media that it would reduce international flights on large aircraft by 15% in the coming weeks.
It also pledged full cooperation with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, DGCA, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, stating passenger safety remains its top priority.