Ahmedabad plane Crash
On June 12, a devastating aviation tragedy struck shortly after Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after takeoff, sending shockwaves across the country. Onboard were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 people. The horrific nature of this crash has not only left families in mourning but also raised significant alarm bells about the reliability of Boeing’s Dreamliner series, a model that has been mired in controversy for years.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was launched in 2011 and touted as a modern, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly aircraft designed for long-haul international flights. Air India currently operates 27 Boeing 787-8s along with a mixed fleet that includes six Airbus A350s, 19 Boeing 777-300ERs, five Boeing 777-200LRs, seven Boeing 787-9s, and several narrow-body aircraft such as A319s and A320s.
Despite Boeing’s claims of advanced safety and comfort features, the Dreamliner’s track record has repeatedly come under scrutiny. In the past, accidents involving similar Boeing aircraft in South Korea and Lithuania have raised red flags. Furthermore, mechanical and structural flaws in the 787 series have been documented globally.
A report by The Economic Times earlier this year highlighted several troubling issues, including hydraulic leaks and malfunctioning wing flaps. In fact, one Dreamliner aircraft was forced to cancel multiple flights within just 25 days due to recurring problems. These mechanical failures have severely impacted the aircraft's reputation.
The most alarming revelations, however, have come from whistleblowers within Boeing itself. Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer, disclosed in interviews with The New York Times and CNN that the 787 was assembled using methods that left gaps between key parts, increasing the risk of future failures as the aircraft ages. According to Salehpour, these gaps compromise the structural integrity of the plane.
Another whistleblower, John Barnett, who served as a quality manager at Boeing, claimed that up to 25% of emergency oxygen systems in the 787s were non-functional. These serious claims were later confirmed by investigations carried out by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Adding to the growing list of concerns, a 2014 Al Jazeera investigation exposed disturbing practices within Boeing's manufacturing facilities. Employees reportedly admitted they would only fly on the Dreamliner if they had a death wish. Some even confessed to rampant drug use and mental health issues among staff during the assembly process—issues that directly impact aircraft quality and safety.
All these reports point to a troubling pattern. The crash of AI171 is not just an isolated incident but a stark reminder of the systemic safety flaws embedded in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s design and manufacturing. It raises serious questions: Is the aircraft truly safe? Are regulators and airlines doing enough to ensure passenger safety? Should there be a temporary grounding or increased inspections of the Dreamliner fleet?
As the investigation unfolds, this tragedy calls for immediate introspection and action from both aviation authorities and aircraft manufacturers. The lives lost demand accountability and a re-evaluation of what it truly means to fly safely in the modern age.
Disclaimer:
This blog is based on publicly available reports and whistleblower testimonies. The official investigation into the crash of AI171 is ongoing, and the exact cause has not yet been confirmed. The blog intends to highlight previously reported concerns with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and does not speculate beyond available information.
