We can't afford to be casual about protocols: Why AI 171 must be a turning point in India's aviation journey
Agencies Representational Dubai: Flying is one of the safest ways to travel. But from time to time, tragedies remind us that this safety can't be taken for granted. When we talk of crashes in the last five years, some have specially made us pause and rethink things.One of them was the tragic downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020, when a Boeing 737-800 was mistakenly shot down shortly after take-off from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. In 2022, a China Eastern Airlines Boeing crashed in the Guangxi region, killing all 132 on board. Towards end of 2024, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, claiming 179 lives.
Earlier this year, more than 60 people were killed when an American Airlines Flight 5342 Bombardier collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. And now comes the tragedy of AI 171. So, what are the lessons these incidents offer? Above all, we can't afford to be casual about protocols. A key issue is that procedures are documented, but not always followed. Planes are built to be robust. But this very reliability sometimes leads technicians and crew to skip routine checks, assuming everything is in order. After a tragedy, the system usually swings into action. But, over time, the urgency fades and a relaxed attitude creeps back in. This needs to be addressed.
Following the Ahmedabad crash, DGCA stepped in with interim measures, instructing Air India to conduct maintenance checks specifically on Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft fitted with GEnx engines. These actions are being coordinated with regional DGCA offices. But, going forward, regulatory bodies and airline managements must make spot checks an SOP to ensure simple routines are fully adhered. Routine inspections include fuel system diagnostics, electronic engine control systems, actuator function tests, oil and hydraulic system reviews, and a proper examination of take-off parameters. Introducing a structured 'flight control inspection' process at times could fix procedures and remove laxity.One clear path of responding to these challenges more effectively is through technology. With AI-powered tools, flight safety can be approached more proactively. For instance, AI can assist air traffic controllers with real-time data, helping them make quicker and better-informed decisions. It can also support predictive maintenance by analysing live data from aircraft sensors to flag potential faults before they become serious.
AI-powered flight simulators can create dynamic, adaptive training scenarios for pilots, moving beyond the limitations of traditional drills. Even risk assessment processes are evolving. AI can now process vast sets of data, including weather patterns, pilot behaviour and historical crash information, to suggest safer and more efficient flight paths.
AI 171 is the deadliest air disaster in India since the mid-air collision over Charkhi-Dadri in Haryana in 1996, which claimed 349 lives. A week after the AI 171 crash, there are more questions than answers. How could a Dreamliner, considered one of the safest aircraft models with no history of fatal crashes until now, go down moments after take-off? Were there warning signs that went unnoticed? At this point, we don't have those answers. We will have to wait for the official investigation to shed light on what really happened. What makes this even more concerning is the backdrop against which it unfolded. India's civil aviation sector is expanding rapidly, with more people choosing to fly than ever before. GoI has already outlined its vision of turning the country into a major aviation hub, one that can stand alongside global giants.While meeting rising demand and improving passenger experience are part of that plan, there's another layer that can't be ignored: trust. A tragedy like AI 171 shouldn't derail the momentum. But it highlights the need for stricter checks and complete transparency. Whoever is accountable must be held responsible. More importantly, steps must be taken to ensure such horror doesn't happen again.The writer is group chairman, Sky One (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Small finance banks struggle with perception. Will numbers turn the tide?
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Human error? engine fault? Air India chairman urges patience amid AI171 crash theories
Tata Sons and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran on Wednesday said that the ill-fated Air India flight AI171, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 killing over 270 people, had no prior red flags, and both its engines were in good condition. Calling it an 'extremely difficult situation', he added that investigators must wait for the black box analysis to uncover the truth. An Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed for London with 242 passengers including crew onboard, crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad seconds after takeoff on June 12. The crash killed 241 of the 241 passengers onboard and several others on ground. 'It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to express to console any of the families of those who died,' Chandrasekaran said, in an interview with Times Now, and extended apologies over the tragedy. 'I deeply regret that this accident happened in a Tata-run airline. And I feel very sorry. All we can do is to be with the families at this time, grieve with them and we will do everything to support them at this hour and beyond,' Chandrasekaran said in a statement. When asked about the possible causes of the accident and whether Air India had any initial findings, he said, 'One would have to wait for the probe to conclude.' The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently leading the investigation, with a high-level government-appointed committee also involved. Chandrasekaran indicated that preliminary findings could take up to a month. On the pilots' credentials, Chandrasekaran stated, 'Both pilots were exceptional. Captain Sabharwal had more than 11,500 hours of flying experience, the first officer Clive (Kundar) had more than 3,400 hours of flying experience. What I hear from colleagues is that they were excellent pilots and great professionals. So, we can't jump to any conclusions. I am told by all the experts that the black box and recorders will definitely tell the story. So, we just have to wait for that.' Addressing various theories around the crash, Tata Sons' chairman said, 'There are speculation about human error, speculation about airlines, speculation about engines, maintenance, all kinds.' He emphasised that the aircraft had no history of issues and provided engine details: the right engine was newly installed in March 2025, while the left engine had last been serviced in 2023 and was due for maintenance in December 2025. Responding to questions about previous show-cause notices and penalties imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Chandrasekaran clarified that these were unrelated to the crashed aircraft. 'These are different from safety issues. If there is a safety issue, there is no way the DGCA will allow us to fly,' he said. Responding to former civil aviation minister Praful Patel's comments questioning Singapore Airlines' silence, Chandrasekaran said, 'Singapore Airlines has been a great partner... their CEO is in constant touch with me... they have been offering all the help they can.' He also addressed concerns over Boeing's manufacturing practices following whistleblower allegations, saying, 'These are things that are being dealt with by investigative agencies in the US... we have not had any red flags in our checks.' Amid reports of a Turkish maintenance link, Chandrasekaran firmly denied it, stating, 'None of them (the 33 Dreamliners) are maintained by Turkish Technic. Most of them are maintained by AIESL (AI Engineering Services Limited) or SIA Engineering Company.' Following the crash, multiple Air India flights have faced delays or cancellations, sparking customer dissatisfaction. Chandrasekaran acknowledged the need for better communication, stating, 'We've got to do a better job at communication. We have put a strategic communications team in the last three days.' He confirmed meetings with senior executives at Boeing and GE, saying, 'I did connect with both Boeing and GE at the highest levels... I have asked them to check and tell us if there have been issues with any of the aircraft or engines.' The June 12 crash remains one of the deadliest in India's aviation history. (With PTI inputs)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Shaken after plane crash on son's hostel, PI finds him safe at home
Ahmedabad: Meghaninagar police inspector D B Basiya was among the first responders to the devastating AI 171 plane crash. What awaited him at the crash site wasn't just a scene of destruction, it was deeply personal. As the debris of the downed aircraft smouldered, Basiya stood frozen. The tail of the plane had come crashing down on the mess hall of the medical college hostel — the very place where his son Rajat, a second-year MBBS student, usually had his meals. Unaware that his son had stayed home that day, the father in uniform feared the worst. Just a day before the crash, Rajat had returned home briefly to get his clothes washed and refill snacks — a routine visit. He had told his parents he would return to the hostel on June 12. "When I left for duty o June 12, Rajat told me he would leave soon for the hostel," said Basiya, recalling that morning. "When I reached the site and saw the mess destroyed, I couldn't speak." Even as a father's heart trembled, the officer in him acted. He coordinated with the fire brigade, supported volunteers, and remained outwardly composed — all the while thinking of son's safety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Gathering courage, he called his wife. Relief washed over him when she said Rajat had delayed his return. "He decided to spend more time with us since his exams were a few days away," Basiya said. Later, a video call confirmed what his heart had desperately hoped — Rajat was home, safe, sitting with his mother. While Rajat had escaped the tragedy, his friends and fellow students had not been as fortunate. "Some of the victims were the same age as my son," said Basiya. That night, Basiya continued his duty — at the Civil Hospital, surrounded by the aftermath of a crash that nearly took his own child. Some of his son's friends, shaken, stayed at their home — the only comfort they had in a night that changed many lives forever.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Tata Group chairman Chandrasekaran 'apologises' for Ahmedabad AI plane crash
Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) 'apologised' for the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last week that claimed more than 270 lives. In an interview with a news channel, Mr. Chandrasekaran said, 'It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to express to console any of the families of those who died.' 'I deeply regret that this accident happened in a Tata-run airline. And I feel very sorry. All we can do is to be with the families at this time, grieve with them and we will do everything to support them at this hour and beyond,' Mr. Chandrasekaran was quoted as saying in a release. Over 270 people were killed on June 12 when a London-bound Air India plane – a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad and crashed less than a minute after takeoff. When specifically asked about the reason for the crash and whether Air India is privy to any preliminary findings, Mr. Chandrasekaran said, 'One would have to wait for the probe to conclude.' The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has begun its investigations into the crash, and the government has also appointed a high-level committee. Mr. Chandrasekaran said that it could be a month until some of the preliminary findings are out. He, however, claimed that AI171, the flight that crashed, had a clean history and there were no red flags that had been raised. 'There are speculations about human error, speculations about airlines, speculations about engines, maintenance, all kinds,' Mr. Chandrasekaran said. 'There are a lot of speculations and a lot of theories. But the fact that I know so far is that this particular aircraft, this specific tail, AI-171, has a clean history. As for the engines, the right engine was a new engine put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023 and is due for its next maintenance check in December 2025. Both engine histories are clean. 'Both pilots were exceptional. Captain Sabharwal had more than 11,500 hours of flying experience, the first officer Clive (Kundar) had more than 3400 hours of flying experience. What I hear from colleagues is that they were excellent pilots and great professionals. So, we can't jump to any conclusions. I am told by all the experts that the black box and recorders will definitely tell the story. So, we just have to wait for that,' he said. When asked about the show-cause notices that had been issued by the DGCA in the recent past to Air India or fines levied on the airline for delays and operational matters, Mr. Chandrasekaran said these were not related to the AI171 aircraft. 'These are different from safety issues. If there is a safety issue, there is no way the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) will allow us to fly. And with respect to this specific aircraft, what I have seen is what I have told you.' Mr. Chandrasekaran also said that none of the 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that are part of Air India's fleet are serviced by Turkish Technic, amid questions being raised about any Turkish link to the aircraft that crashed. 'None of them (the 33 Dreamliners) are maintained by Turkish Technic. Most of them are maintained by AIESL (AI Engineering Services Limited) or SIA Engineering Company (whose parent organization is Singapore Airlines),' he said. The former Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, has questioned the 'silence' of Singapore Airlines, which he said, apart from being a shareholder in Air India, was also responsible for maintaining a significant number of Air India's wide-body aircraft. Mr. Chandrasekaran, in the interview, responded to Mr. Patel's claims, stating, 'Singapore Airlines has been a great partner. And since we took over, they have helped us in many dimensions. Even some of the safety procedures, the best processes, we have taken from Singapore Airlines. 'We have taken it from Vistara, and many of the processes where we needed best-in-class benchmarks, they have helped us. They have reached out even at this time; their CEO is in constant touch with me. Whether it is customer experience or any other process, they are always available. They have been offering all the help they can.' Mr. Chandrasekaran was also asked about whistleblowers who had spoken out against Boeing, specifically in the context of the manufacturing processes associated with the production of the 787 Dreamliner. The Air India Chairman responded by saying, 'These are things that are being dealt with by investigative agencies in the U.S., but overall 787s have been flying for a very long time, we already had 27 787s by the time we bought Air India. And we have not had any red flags in our checks,' according to the release. Since the June 12 tragedy, several Air India flights have been cancelled, or faced delays, raising serious concerns among passengers. Mr. Chandrasekaran acknowledged Air India needs to do a better job communicating with passengers about these matters. 'There are more than 1100 flights that we fly every day. And in the last six days, there have been in general, anywhere from 5 to 16 or 18 flights, depending on the day, that have been cancelled,' he added. 'We've got to do a better job at communication. We have put a strategic communications team in the last three days,' Mr. Chandrasekaran said. Mr. Chandrasekar has met with senior officials of Boeing following the tragedy. He said, 'So I did connect with both Boeing and GE at the highest levels. Parallel to the DGCA checks that we have gone through, I have asked them to check and tell us if there have been issues with any of the aircraft or engines,' the release said.
