Latest news with #B787
News18
14 hours ago
- News18
Air India Crash Probe: AAIB Ropes In ‘Human Factor Specialists'
This is important, as multiple reports in the Western media have laid the blame on the senior pilot for the AI-171 crash The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has roped in 'human factor specialists" besides others in its ongoing probe into the AI-171 Ahmedabad crash, the government told Parliament on Thursday. This is important, as multiple reports in the Western media have laid the blame on the senior pilot for the AI-171 crash. Both the AAIB and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have scotched such reports, appealing to all not to jump to any conclusion. The government has said all the angles are under probe. What government said 'B787 type-rated experienced pilots, type-rated engineers, aviation medicine specialist, human factor specialists and flight recorder specialists have been taken on board as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist the investigation," minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol told Parliament. He added that the preliminary report published on the AAIB website in July does not contain any conclusion. Defects in aircraft The government also told Parliament that a total of 2,094 investigations have been carried out against serious defects or snags reported in various aircraft during the last five years up to June 2025. These were all technical defects—514 reported in 2021, 528 in 2022, 448 in 2023, 421 in 2024, and 183 in 2025. 'All defects which are serious in nature shall be intimated immediately by all operators to DGCA. During the DGCA audit, if it is observed that defects have not been reported by the airline, DGCA initiates investigation and takes appropriate action as per enforcement policy and procedure manual," the government has said. The government also said that there have been a total of eight accidents (involving 1 scheduled aircraft, 3 trainee aircraft and 4 helicopters) reported in the year 2025. These led to the loss of 274 lives, it said. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Air India flight to London aborts takeoff at Delhi Airport due to technical glitch
Reuters Air India's Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which was to fly to London, aborted takeoff at the Delhi airport due to a technical issue on Thursday."Flight AI2017, operating from Delhi to London on July 31, returned to the bay due to a suspected technical issue. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the takeoff run following standard operating procedures and brought the aircraft back for precautionary checks," an airline spokesperson said in a statement to PTI. "An alternative aircraft is being deployed to fly the passengers to London at the earliest. Our ground staff is extending all support and care to the guests to minimise inconvenience caused due to this unexpected delay," the statement said. Earlier, an audit conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) flagged 51 safety deficiencies in Air India's operations, raising concerns over compliance with regulatory protocols and operational safety findings were part of a government report accessed by ANI, based on a comprehensive inspection carried out between July 1st and 3rd at Air India's main internal surveillance report, led by a 10-member DGCA inspection team, highlighted critical failures across various domains, from flight dispatch, crew rostering, and simulator training to digital record keeping and cabin crew major lapses identified as per the reports included flight crew and simulator irregularities, excessive flight duty periods, and unqualified simulator use for report further stated that B787 pilots operated flights despite undergoing invalid recurrent simulator checks. Simulators did not meet the regulatory 2-hour session requirement, a breach that led to pilots flying without DGCA re-approval. A B787 flight (AI-138 from Milan to Delhi) exceeded its Flight Duty Period (FDP) by 2 hours and 18 minutes, a direct violation of civil aviation findings also stated that multiple ultra-long-haul (ULR) flights (AI-126, 190, 188, 191) operated without the minimum mandated number of cabin crew, in violation of Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) pertaining to Flight Crew Standards, training, and licensing. The accessed report further mentioned that Air India reportedly used non-qualified simulators for Category C airport training, known for their challenging approach conditions, violating safety training protocols. On the digital and documentation gaps, the report revealed that widespread discrepancies were found in the BOTMIN system, the airline's digital crew record-keeping platform, with missing pilot documents, inaccurate flying hour records, and unindexed training folders. It further mentioned the additional safety and organisational concerns, including operational manual irregularities and lapses in training oversight. The organisational chart did not reflect DGCA-mandated post-holders. Positions like Chief Pilot (A320, A350) were unassigned, and key roles like the Head of IOCC (Integrated Operations Control Centre) lacked clarity in designation and qualification, and several inconsistencies were noted in the airline's manuals, including outdated Search and Rescue procedures, missing HUD recency documentation, and improper fuel planning on EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operations) routes. The report further stated that DGCA also flagged incomplete records for B777/B787 pilots' recurrent training, missing approvals for Computer-Based Training (CBT), and outdated classroom capacities and safety equipment in the training center. The DGCA categorised the findings into Level I and Level II violations, with Level I being the most severe. Air India was instructed to submit corrective action reports by July 30 for Level I issues and by August 23 for Level II findings. The detailed deficiency report called into question the effectiveness of these reforms and indicated deeper systemic issues. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Zomato delivered, but did the other listed unicorns? Tata Motors' INR38k crore Iveco buy: Factors that can make investors nervous Trump tariffs: End of road or a new journey ending Russia reliance? As rates slide, who will grab the savings pie? MFs, insurers? Is it time for Tim Cook to bid bye to Apple? Regulators promote exchanges; can they stifle one? Watch IEX Stock Radar: Down over 20% from highs! Varun Beverages stock showing signs of trend reversal – time to buy? History tells us 'Hold' is equal to wealth creation: 11 large- and mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 37% In some cases parentage equals 'management with ability': 5 mid-caps from different sectors, which tick the right box Multibagger or IBC - Part 17: Margins are slim. Promoters are all in. Is this small cap the ultimate contrarian bet?
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Air passenger grievances surge this year, close to 2024 levels in just 6 months
New Delhi: The number of passenger complaints filed with the civil aviation regulator— the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)— in 2025 has reached nearly 98% of the total complaints recorded in all of 2024. As of June this year, the number of technical defects reported has already reached 43% of the total recorded in 2024. (Representational image) As of June 2025, 3,925 complaints have been registered, compared to 4,016 in the entire year of 2024, civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu told parliament on Monday. In a written reply to a query raised by member of Parliament (MP) Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik, Naidu, sharing a year-wise data of complaints received by DGCA since 2021-22, stated that a total of 3,925 complaints were filed in 2025 (up to June), compared to 4,016 in 2024 and 5,513 in 2023. The number stood at 4,131 in 2021 and 3,783 in 2022. The reply also included the number of technical defects in aircraft in the same period indicating that, as of June this year, the number of technical defects reported has already reached 43% of the total recorded in 2024. As per the data, 183 defects have been reported this year up to June, compared to 421 in 2024 and 448 in 2023. The number of reported defects was 514 in 2021 and 528 in 2022. The written reply also stated that a total of 2,094 investigations have been carried out against serious defects or snags reported during the last five years (up to June 2025). Naidu stated that all aircraft operators have a system in their organisation to ensure that all defects, minor or others, whether reported by flight crew or observed by maintenance crew are recorded and investigated for taking appropriate rectification action. All defects which are serious in nature are intimated immediately by all operators to DGCA. Stating the steps taken by the government to strengthen safety in light of the recent Air India tragedy that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad after the B787 crashed moments after take-off, Naidu's reply said, 'DGCA has comprehensive and structured civil aviation regulations for safe operation of aircraft and its maintenance. These regulations are continuously updated and aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)/European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. Post-accident, DGCA enhanced the check and inspection of the critical component of safety assurance in order to identify and rectify immediate systemic issues.'
Hindustan Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AAIB probe into Air India crash transparent, totally unbiased: Ram Mohan Naidu
NEW DELHI: Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu backed the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) report and probe into the crash of Air India 171, terming the body 'unbiased', even as several lawmakers questioned him on the accident and on air safety. Ahmedabad: Wreckage of Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which was operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London, placed under tight security, seen a month after the tragedy, in Ahmedabad. (PTI) His comments in the Rajya Sabha came in the wake of a raft of reports in western media that have blamed the commander of the aircraft for the crash, claiming that he switched off fuel to the engines. AAIB's preliminary report identifies the fuel switches being in cut-off position as the reason for the engine failure, and paraphrases a conversation between the two pilots, with one asking the other whether he cut the fuel, and receiving a negative response. The report did not say what could have caused this, but said there was nothing wrong with either the engine or the aircraft. Also Read | 'Speculative': US transport safety body NTSB slams Air India crash media reports blaming pilot Replying to Rajya Sabha MP Ashokrao Chavan, Naidu said: ' AAIB got into the investigation right after the accident happened… they have started the process according to international standards… they have involved all subject matter experts… necessary people who are supposed to be participating in the investigation. They have gone through the first set of investigation processes and have given us the preliminary report.' To be sure, AAIB has responded to western media reports by clarifying that its preliminary report was only about the 'what' and not the 'why' or 'how'. The civil aviation minister said that definitive answers will only be available once the AAIB's final report is ready. Talking about the preliminary report and decoding of the black box of the B787 that crashed on June 12, Naidu said, ' Whenever these accidents happen and the black box gets damaged. It was always sent to the original equipment manufacturer and for decoding.' This time, he added, that the black box was decoded in the county for the first time and 'we have done it successfully'. Also Read: Two media houses get pilot bodies' notice for coverage of Air India crash report Replying to MP Anil Kumar Yadav Mandadi, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol, in a written reply, said that the data from one of the flight recorders of AI-171 (VT-ANB) has been downloaded in the Flight Recorder Lab of the AAIB at Udaan Bhawan. Naidu asked people to 'respect the process'. 'We want to stand by the truth. We want to find out what exactly happened and that is only going to be coming out once the final report (of AAIB) is placed. We have to respect the process of investigation and once that process has happened, then we can talk about what happened, how it happened and then corrective measures (can be taken),' the minister said. 'I can say this in the House and to the people of the country that AAIB has a very definitive and thorough rule-based process. They are very transparently looking at the (investigation) process right now and they are totally unbiased,' Naidu added. Referring to western media reports, he said: 'There have been multiple reports not only in India but also in the Western media, trying to air their own viewpoints and narratives but I want to tell you that the way we are seeing the investigation is through the facts. We want to stand by the truth and not what is happening with the pilots, Boeing, Air India or any other stakeholder'. We want to find out what exactly happened. We have to respect the process of investigation.' India's civil aviation regulator has always focused on safety, he said, replying to another question from Fauzia Khan: 'In terms of safety, DGCA has inspections which are planned, ramp inspections, spot checks, and night surveillance… they conduct safety audits…they keep monitoring all aircraft and airports…whenever such incidents happen… we ensure that there is no negligence and no incompetence on any of the processes, nd if something takes place because of the negligence then we take a serious actions on the operator and any necessary person and impose penalties..' Separately, in a written reply to MP John Brittas, Mrulidhar Mohol said, 'During the last six months, a total of nine show cause notices have been issued to Air India in connection with five identified safety violations. Enforcement action has been completed in respect of one violation. '
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Air India crash probe focuses on actions of plane's captain: reports
A cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month indicates the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (July 17, 2025). Also Read | Air India finds no issues with locking mechanism of fuel control switch in B787 planes: Official The newspaper cited people familiar with U.S. officials' early assessment of evidence uncovered in the investigation into the June 12 crash that killed 260 people. The First Officer, who was flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, asked the more experienced captain why he moved the fuel switches to the "cutoff" position seconds after lifting off the runway, the report said. The two pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had total flying experience of 15,638 hours and 3,403 hours, respectively. AAIB, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India and two unions representing Indian pilots did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment on the Wall Street Journal report. Boeing declined to comment. A preliminary report into the crash released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday said the fuel switches had switched from run to cutoff a second apart just after takeoff, but it did not say how they were flipped. Almost immediately after the plane lifted off the ground, closed-circuit TV footage showed a backup energy source called a ram air turbine had deployed, indicating a loss of power from the engines. One pilot was then heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. Without fuel flowing to the engines, the London-bound plane began to lose thrust. After reaching a height of 650 feet, the plane began to sink. The fuel switches for both engines were turned back to run, and the airplane automatically tried restarting the engines, the report said. Also Read | Families of 47 victims of Air India 171 crash victims receive interim payout; lawyers warn against forgoing rights for full compensation But the plane was too low and too slow to be able to recover, aviation safety expert John Nance told Reuters. The plane clipped some trees and a chimney before crashing in a fireball into a building on a nearby medical college campus, the report said, killing 19 people on the ground and 241 of the 242 on board the 787. No safety recommendations In an internal memo on Monday (July 14, 2025), Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance faults and that all required maintenance had been carried out. The AAIB's preliminary report had no safety recommendations for Boeing or engine manufacturer GE. After the report was released, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe, a document seen by Reuters showed and four sources with knowledge of the matter said. The circumstantial evidence increasingly indicates that a crew member flipped the engine fuel switches, Mr. Nance said, given there was "no other rationale explanation" that was consistent with the information released to date. Nonetheless, investigators "still have to dig into all the factors" and rule out other possible contributing factors which would take time, he said. Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors, and under international rules, a final report is expected within a year of an accident. The Air India crash has rekindled debate over adding flight deck cameras, known as cockpit image recorders, on airliners. Mr. Nance said investigators likely would have benefited greatly from having video footage of the cockpit during the Air India flight. Air India has faced additional scrutiny on other fronts after the crash. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said this month it plans to investigate its budget airline, Air India Express, after Reuters reported the carrier did not follow a directive to change engine parts of an Airbus A320 in a timely manner and falsified records to show compliance.
