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The recent tragic Air India crash involving the Boeing Dreamliner jet has left many questioning the cause of the accident. N Chandrasekaran, the chair of Air India and Tata Group, the carrier’s owner, has defended the aircraft’s “clean history” and maintenance record. He stated that the aircraft involved in the crash, AI-171, had two recently serviced engines, with one being a new engine installed in March.
Chandrasekaran pushed back on speculations about human error, airline practices, and engine maintenance, emphasizing that the aircraft and its engines had clean histories. The captain and first officer of the flight were experienced pilots, with thousands of hours of flying under their belts.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in collaboration with authorities from the UK and the US. Boeing and GE Aerospace, the manufacturers of the Dreamliner and its engines, are cooperating with the investigation.
The accident has prompted Air India to implement enhanced safety checks and reduce long-haul services by 15%. Tata Group, which acquired Air India in 2022, is facing one of the most significant crises in its recent history due to the crash.
Chandrasekaran highlighted the cooperation between Air India and Singapore Airlines, which holds a stake in the carrier. He mentioned that Singapore Airlines had been supportive in various aspects, including safety procedures.
The aviation community is eagerly awaiting the findings of the investigation to shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragic crash. As the industry mourns the loss of lives, efforts to ensure aviation safety and prevent similar incidents in the future remain a top priority.
