Parliament Panel to Grill Aviation Authorities, Boeing on Safety After Dreamliner Crash
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd June: In the wake of the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad that killed 304 people, a Parliamentary committee on transport is set to convene in the first week of July to examine the state of civil aviation safety in India. Sources indicate that the focus will be on aircraft maintenance, regulatory lapses, pilot readiness, and the growing frequency of aviation-related incidents, including helicopter crashes.
The committee has summoned top government aviation officials, airline representatives, and Boeing executives for what are expected to be tense and high-stakes discussions. The role of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), compliance with aircraft maintenance schedules, and the psychological well-being of pilots will be major points on the agenda. A detailed report is expected to be tabled in the next session of Parliament.
Before the high-level inquiry in Delhi, the panel will travel to Gangtok to assess air and road connectivity in the Northeast, particularly in the context of tourism development. Members of the committee will fly Air India to conduct a first-hand evaluation of the airline’s service quality and safety protocols.
The scrutiny comes just days after the deadly crash of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner AI 171, which failed to gain thrust on takeoff and plunged into a residential area near Ahmedabad airport. Among the victims were college students residing in a nearby hostel.
Following the incident, the DGCA has ordered the immediate removal of three senior Air India officials involved in flight crew scheduling, citing negligence. The airline has been warned of severe repercussions, including possible suspension of its operating licence, if it fails to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Air India, which recently underwent a fleet expansion, has now grounded over 100 aircraft for emergency safety inspections. It confirmed that the ill-fated aircraft had undergone routine checks, with its right engine replaced earlier this year and the left engine last inspected in April.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but preliminary analysis, including video footage indicating Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment, points to a dual engine failure or a complete hydraulic or electronic systems breakdown. Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were recovered, though damaged, and are being forensically examined.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of Boeing aircraft, particularly Dreamliners, with reports emerging of similar technical malfunctions on other Boeing jets operated by international carriers in recent days.
