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الوسم: Boeing 787-8

  • Pilot Groups Dismiss Human Error Claims in Air India Crash

    Pilot Groups Dismiss Human Error Claims in Air India Crash

    The wreckage of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lies on an open field in Ahmedabad, India on July 12, 2025. — Reuters

    • ICPA “profoundly troubled” by speculative claims.
    • Condemns insensitive allegations against individuals and families.
    • ALPA asserts that the investigation is leaning towards pilot culpability.

    NEW DELHI: Two prominent commercial pilots’ associations have dismissed assertions that human error led to an Air India crash that resulted in 260 fatalities, following a preliminary report revealing that the airplane’s engine fuel switches were turned off.

    Released on Saturday by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the report did not draw any conclusions or assign culpability for the June 12 tragedy. However, it did indicate that one pilot questioned the other about the cutoff of fuel, to which the second pilot replied that he had no knowledge of it.

    Further details about the cockpit conversation between the pilots were not disclosed.

    The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) expressed being “profoundly troubled by speculative narratives,” particularly the “reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide.”

    “There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage,” the ICPA stated in a release on Sunday, noting that such allegations are “profoundly insensitive to the individuals and families involved.”

    “To suggest pilot suicide casually, without verified evidence, is a severe breach of ethical journalism and undermines the dignity of the profession,” the statement continued.

    The initial findings from the investigation have led to speculation among independent aviation experts suggesting that either intentional or unintentional pilot actions might have contributed to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashing shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, located in western India.

    The ICPA referred to various aviation experts who indicated that engine fuel control switches can only be manipulated manually and intentionally.

    The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India), another organization representing 800 pilots, criticized the investigation agency for maintaining “secrecy” throughout the inquiry, asserting that “suitably qualified personnel” were not included.

    “We believe the investigation is being guided by an assumption of the pilots’ culpability, and we strongly oppose this perspective,” ALPA India President Sam Thomas stated in a press release on Saturday.

    ALPA, which claims over 100,000 members globally, has also requested to the AAIB that they be allowed to participate as “observers” to enhance transparency in the investigation.

    The crash claimed the lives of all but one of the 242 people on board, as well as 19 individuals on the ground.

  • FAA and Boeing Confirm Safety of Fuel Switch Locks Amid Air India Probe

    FAA and Boeing Confirm Safety of Fuel Switch Locks Amid Air India Probe

    A firefighter stands beside the wreckage of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, India, on June 13, 2025.

    • Report on Air India crash highlights issues with engine fuel switches.
    • U.S. FAA claims that fuel switch locks pose no safety risks.
    • Boeing cites FAA notice and does not recommend further action, sources say.

    According to a private document obtained by Reuters, both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have issued statements that the fuel switch locks on Boeing aircraft are safe. This follows a preliminary report concerning the crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 260 individuals last month and raised concerns about the engine fuel cutoff switches.

    The FAA’s Continued Airworthiness Notification, dated July 11, communicated to civil aviation authorities emphasized: “While the design of the fuel control switch, particularly the locking feature, is consistent across various Boeing models, the FAA does not regard this as a safety issue that calls for an Airworthiness Directive for any Boeing aircraft, including the Model 787.”

    In response to inquiries, the FAA stated it has no additional comments beyond the issued notification.

    Boeing echoed the FAA’s notification in a Multi-Operator Message sent to airlines recently, indicating that the company does not recommend any changes, according to two insiders.

    The preliminary investigative report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) referenced a 2018 FAA advisory. This advisory suggested, but did not require, operators of several Boeing aircraft models, including the 787, to check the locking mechanism of the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be activated unintentionally.

    Air India reportedly did not perform the FAA-recommended inspections, citing that the advisory was non-mandatory. However, maintenance records revealed that the throttle control module, which encompasses the fuel switches, had been replaced in 2019 and again in 2023 on the aircraft involved in the accident.

    The report noted that “all applicable airworthiness directives and alert service bulletins were adhered to concerning the aircraft and its engines.”

    ALPA India, representing Indian pilots within the Montreal-based International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, publicly rejected the presumption of pilot error and called for a “fair, fact-based examination.”

    Sam Thomas, President of ALPA India, stated in an interview with Reuters that “the pilots’ association should now be included in the investigation process as observers.”

    In a letter shared on social media platform X, ALPA India referred to the preliminary investigation report that mentioned the 2018 FAA advisory “about the fuel control switch gates, suggesting possible equipment malfunction.”

    In the moments leading up to the crash, one pilot reportedly asked the other why the fuel had been cut off, to which the second pilot responded that he had not done so. The report indicated that fuel switches had nearly simultaneously transitioned from “run” to “cutoff” shortly after takeoff, yet it did not clarify how the switches could have changed position during the flight.

    Several safety experts from the U.S. supported ALPA India’s request for observer status in the investigation but indicated that the report did not imply bias towards pilot error.

    John Cox, a pilot and former representative of ALPA U.S., remarked that the AAIB’s report appeared to be objective and just.

  • India Plane Crash Inquiry Exploring Every Angle: Minister

    Fire officer stands near the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters/File
    A fire officer stands beside the wreckage of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters/File

    On Sunday, India’s aviation minister stated that investigators are examining “all possibilities” regarding the Air India crash, especially concerning sabotage.

    Out of the 242 individuals aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, nearly all perished when it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12.

    The authorities have also reported 19 fatalities on the ground. However, a police source indicated to AFP that the total death toll stands at 38.

    Murlidhar Mohol, the minister of state for civil aviation, mentioned during an interview with Indian news network NDTV that the investigation is considering “all angles,” particularly concerning potential sabotage.

    “It’s unprecedented for both engines to fail simultaneously,” Mohol added, referencing theories from experts regarding possible dual-engine failure.

    The minister emphasized that premature conclusions about the crash’s cause should be avoided until the investigative report is completed.

    This week, the investigation team began analyzing data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.

    Air India affirmed that the aircraft was “well-maintained” and indicated that the pilots were highly skilled.

    The plane’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—were recovered shortly after the crash, with one being found on a rooftop near the crash site on June 13 and the other in the debris on June 16, according to Reuters.

  • Identities Confirmed for 259 of 260 Air India Crash Victims

    Identities Confirmed for 259 of 260 Air India Crash Victims

    A fire officer stands next to the wreckage of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, India, on June 13, 2025.

    AHMEDABAD: On Tuesday, officials in Gujarat, India, announced they have identified all but one of the 260 bodies retrieved after an Air India plane crash this month in Ahmedabad.

    The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 individuals and heading to London’s Gatwick Airport, lost altitude mere seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, crashing into a medical college dormitory and igniting into a fireball.

    There was a single survivor among the passengers, while the crash also claimed the lives of 19 individuals on the ground.

    The official death toll was slightly lower than previous estimates of 270, though authorities have opted to remain cautious in confirming the final count.

    “We have identified 259 victims so far, including 240 passengers and 19 non-passengers. We are still awaiting the DNA test results for one passenger,” stated Rakesh Joshi, superintendent of the Ahmedabad civil hospital.

    “Currently, the crash site is still under clearance operations. We cannot announce the final death count until we are certain that there are no more victims to be discovered,” he added.

    The remains of 256 victims have been returned to their families, according to a local government statement. Of these, 253 were identified via DNA matching, while the remaining six were identified through facial recognition.

    This announcement follows a recent warning issued to Air India by the government for “serious and repeated violations” concerning pilot duty schedules and oversight.

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the removal of three Air India executives from crew scheduling roles due to lapses that led to flight durations exceeding the mandated maximum of 10 hours for pilots on flights from Bengaluru to London on May 16 and 17.

    The June 20 directive highlighted “systemic failures in scheduling protocols and oversight,” criticizing the lack of stringent disciplinary actions against the responsible parties.

    It’s worth noting that Air India was acquired by the Tata Group in 2022 and is facing significant challenges in revamping its reputation after years of criticism from travelers regarding subpar service.

  • Air India Dreamliner Makes Emergency Landing in Hong Kong

    Air India Dreamliner Makes Emergency Landing in Hong Kong

    Air India passenger aircraft on the runway at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, February 14, 2023.

    NEW DELHI: An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner scheduled to fly to New Delhi returned to Hong Kong on Monday due to concerns over a potential technical issue detected by the pilot mid-flight, according to a source familiar with the situation.

    This incident follows a recent tragedy when another Air India flight—also utilizing the same Boeing model—crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, leading to the deaths of 241 out of the 242 people on board.

    The aircraft operating flight AI315 from Hong Kong is currently undergoing inspections, as stated by the informed source.

    Flight AI315 departed from Hong Kong at 12:16 PM and landed back just over an hour later, based on flight tracking data from Flightradar24.

    Boeing and Air India have not yet responded to requests for comments regarding this particular flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi.