Air India Crash: India Orders Additional Safety Checks for Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Strategic Insights -

Following the crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8 in the UK, which claimed the lives of 241 people, officials in India have ordered additional safety checks for the aircraft. The move comes as investigators recover a black box from the plane, which will hold crucial information on the cause of the disaster. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India has mandated an extra one-off check for Air India's 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, citing it as a "preventive measure".

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian government has ordered an additional safety check for Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet following the crash of Air India flight AI171.
  • A team of investigators from the UK and United States has arrived in the city to assist in the inquiry.
  • Boeing has sent officials to the crash site to assist in the investigation.
  • The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, was just months away from retirement and had over 8,200 hours of flying experience.
  • Air India has announced that it will be "fully transparent" in the investigation and has dispatched a team of nearly 100 caregivers and 40 engineering staff to help at the site.
  • The King and members of the royal family will wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence at the Trooping the Colour parade in London.
  • Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, has visited the site and met with the families of the victims.

Statistics:

  • 241 people were killed in the Air India crash.
  • More than 200 injured were transferred to the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.
  • 8 residents were confirmed dead.
  • The 787-8 climbed to about 600ft before descending and crashing into buildings.
  • The black box will hold clues as to the cause of the disaster and conversation between pilots in the cockpit.
  • Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had over 8,200 hours of flying experience.
  • The technical team is helping at the site, and caregivers are providing support to families.

Sources:

  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India.
  • Buckingham Palace.
  • The King and other members of the royal family will wear black armbands and pause for a minute's silence at the annual Trooping the Colour parade today.