Indian Pilots Urge Grounding Of Boeing 787 After Safety Issues

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), representing airline pilots in India, has urged authorities to ground all Boeing 787 aircraft operated in the country. The call comes after reports of technical malfunctions on two Air India flights sparked concerns about the aircraft’s reliability and operational safety.

Incident On Flight AI-154

The first incident occurred on October 9 involving flight AI-154 from Vienna to Delhi. The aircraft was diverted to Dubai after multiple system alerts, including issues with the autopilot and flight control systems. Although the flight landed safely, pilots raised concerns about the aircraft’s serviceability and maintenance practices.

Incident On Flight AI-117

The second reported issue happened on October 4 during the landing of flight AI-117 in Birmingham. The aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed unexpectedly, prompting pilots to question maintenance procedures. The FIP cited these events as examples of poor serviceability, partly due to newly hired engineers replacing personnel from the government-owned AIESEL maintenance body.

Air India Denies System Failures

Air India has strongly denied any electrical or system failures on the affected flights. A spokesperson clarified that the RAT deployment on AI-117 was not caused by a technical fault or pilot error. Regarding AI-154, the airline stated that the flight was rerouted due to a technical issue but landed safely in Dubai. Passengers were informed, received refreshments, and continued to Delhi without further incidents.

Emphasis On Passenger Safety

“At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew is our top priority,” the airline emphasized. Preliminary investigations showed all electrical and hydraulic parameters on AI-117 were normal. The un-commanded RAT deployment was consistent with similar past occurrences on Boeing 787 aircraft, as noted by the manufacturer. Air India has informed the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and submitted a preliminary safety report. The aircraft has since been cleared for service.

Reference To Previous Boeing 787 Crash

The FIP also highlighted concerns relating to the June 12 AI-171 crash, which killed 260 people, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground. AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad due to thrust failure. The pilots urged thorough investigations to prevent similar risks in the future.

Growing Tension Between Pilots And Airline

These incidents have highlighted rising tension between pilot groups and Air India management over aircraft maintenance and operational safety. The debate underscores the importance of ensuring rigorous maintenance standards and addressing pilot concerns, especially for the Boeing 787 fleet in India.

Regulatory Oversight And Future Steps

The FIP’s request to ground all Boeing 787 aircraft is intended to prompt stricter safety reviews by the DGCA and other authorities. Ensuring robust inspection and maintenance procedures is critical to maintaining public confidence in air travel. Both pilots and airline officials are now engaged in discussions to resolve safety concerns and improve operational protocols.

While Air India emphasizes that its Boeing 787 fleet is safe and fully operational, the pilots’ concerns reflect ongoing scrutiny of maintenance practices and aircraft reliability. With past incidents like AI-171 and recent technical alerts, the debate over grounding the fleet highlights the critical balance between aviation safety, regulatory oversight, and operational continuity.