Executive Summary:
This document is the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, 2025, and subsequent safety inspections. It addresses the preliminary findings, pre-crash safety records, reasons for additional inspections post-crash, DGCA oversight, and the status of aviation safety regulations. A preliminary report on the accident was published by AAIB on July 12, 2025, and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Investigation into Air India Flight 171 Crash:**
* The Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has ordered an investigation under Rule 11 of the Aircraft Investigation of Accidents & Incidents Rules, 2017, to determine the causes of the accident.
* AAIB published a preliminary report on the accident on July 12, 2025.
* **Pre-Crash Safety and Maintenance:**
* Aircraft VTANB underwent routine maintenance and safety inspections per DGCA regulations and manufacturer guidelines.
* The last major maintenance check L11 and L12 line maintenance check were carried out at 38504:12 Hrs and 7255 cycles.
* A Pilot Defect Report (PDR) entry for status message STAB POS XDCR was made by the previous flight AI423; the fault was rectified by Air India's Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) before the flight.
* **DGCA Oversight and Actions:**
* DGCA has a structured surveillance and audit framework, including regular audits, spot checks, night surveillance, and ramp inspections.
* Following the accident, DGCA directed Air India on June 13, 2025, to carry out additional checks on all 33 Boeing 787-89 aircraft.
* DGCA has conducted two regulatory audits of Air India and is following up on observations for corrective action.
Impact Analysis:
* **Air India:**
* *Impact:* Subject to investigations, additional safety checks, and corrective actions based on DGCA audits.
* *Action Required:* Cooperate with the AAIB investigation, conduct additional checks on Boeing 787 fleet as directed by DGCA, and address observations from DGCA audits.
* **Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for overseeing the investigation, enforcing safety regulations, and conducting audits.
* *Action Required:* Continue the investigation into the crash, ensure Air India complies with safety directives, and follow up on corrective actions from audits.
* **Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for determining the probable causes and contributory factors leading to the accident.
* *Action Required:* Conduct a thorough investigation of the Air India Flight AI171 accident and publish findings.
Key Entities Referenced
Air India: An airline company, the operator of the crashed Flight 171 and subject to safety inspections.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner: The aircraft model involved in the Air India Flight 171 crash.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: The location where the Air India Flight 171 crash occurred during takeoff.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory authority in India responsible for overseeing aviation safety and ordering safety inspections.
Tata Group: The company that took over Air India and is subject to DGCA's safety oversight.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): The agency responsible for investigating the Air India Flight 171 accident.
Air India Flight 171: The specific flight that crashed at Ahmedabad, prompting investigation and safety measures.
Aircraft Investigation of Accidents Incidents Rules, 2017: The rule under which AAIB has ordered the investigation
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 755
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24th July 2025 )
SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF AIR INDIA BOEING PLANE
755. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the preliminary findings of the investigation into the crash of Air
India Flight 171 during takeoff at Ahmedabad on 12th June 2025,
which resulted in the death of 241 out of 242 persons on board the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner including specific technical failures
identified in the engine, flaps and landing gear systems;
(b) the pre-crash safety inspection records of the aircraft (VT-ANB)
including the date of the last major maintenance, compliance with
mandatory safety checks and any technical issues reported in the
30 days prior to the crash;
(c) the reasons for which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) ordered additional safety inspections of Air India's entire
Boeing 787 fleet only after the said crash instead of undertaking
proactive comprehensive checks, especially in view of known global
safety concerns with the Boeing 787 aircraft;
(d) the oversight exercised by DGCA over Air India's safety
protocols since the Tata Group takeover including the number of
safety audits conducted, violations identified and corrective actions
taken; and
(e) the current status of aviation safety regulations in the country
and the specific regulatory changes being considered/proposed by
the Government to prevent similar accidents in the future?
ANSWERMinister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (e): An investigation has been ordered by the Director General,
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the
Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017 to
determine the probable cause(s)/contributory factor(s) leading to
accident of Air India flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025.;
;
A preliminary report on the accident has been published by AAIB on
12th July, 2025 and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in.;
;
The aircraft VT-ANB underwent routine maintenance and safety
inspections as per the approved maintenance program in
compliance with DGCA regulations and the manufacturer's
guidelines. The last major maintenance check L1-1 and L1-2 line
maintenance check were carried out at 38504:12 Hrs and 7255
cycles.;
;
The crew of the previous flight (AI423) had made Pilot Defect Report
(PDR) entry for status message STAB POS XDCR in the Tech Log.
The troubleshooting was carried out as per Fault Isolation Manual
(FIM) by Air India's on duty Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME).
The fault was rectified and aircraft was released for flight at 0640
UTC.;
;
DGCA has a structured surveillance and audit framework in place
i.e. planned and unplanned surveillance of organization /aircraft,
which includes regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night
surveillance and ramp inspections across all operators, including
continuous oversight of maintenance practices.;
;
Post-accident of M/s Air India flight AI-171 Boeing 787 aircraft on
12.06.2025 at Ahmedabad, DGCA on 13.06.2025 as preventive
measure directed M/s Air India to carry out additional checks on all
33 Boeing 787- 8/9 in coordination with concerned regional office of
DGCA.;
;DGCA has carried out 02 Regulatory Audits of M/s Air India. The
observations made during the audit are followed up with the
operator for corrective action/closure.;
******