India’s aviation authorities have ordered a full inspection of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian airlines after a catastrophic Air India crash left 270 people dead, making it the country’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
The tragic accident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport lost altitude and crashed, bursting into flames as it struck buildings below. Shockingly, only one person survived out of the 242 passengers and crew on board.
Following the crash, India’s aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced emergency inspections of all 34 Boeing 787s currently in the Indian fleet. So far, eight planes have been inspected, with the rest to follow “with immediate urgency.” The minister also confirmed that the investigation will explore every possible angle—from engine thrust and flap settings to the mysterious failure of the landing gear to retract.
Air India, which operates 33 of the affected aircraft, stated it is complying with new safety checks mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline also warned of potential delays on long-haul routes due to extended turnaround times during inspections. The planes have not been grounded as of now, though officials are reportedly considering it.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the crash remains heartbreaking. Authorities have recovered 270 bodies, many badly charred, as the aircraft struck the hostel of B.J. Medical College, home to some of the victims. Forensic teams are using dental records and DNA profiling to identify the deceased. Doctors at the hospital say the emotional toll has been overwhelming, with some identifying their own friends and colleagues among the dead.
One grieving father said he had lost four family members in the crash and had received no clear information from the authorities. Another complained about the 72-hour wait to claim his son’s body due to the complex identification process.
In response to the tragedy, Air India has promised an interim compensation of ₹2.5 million ($29,000) for each victim’s family and the lone survivor. This is in addition to the ₹10 million support announced by the Tata Group, which owns the airline.
This disaster has dealt a major blow to Air India’s efforts to rebuild its global reputation since its takeover by Tata in 2022. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the company is committed to finding answers, but added, “We don’t know right now what exactly went wrong.”
The Indian government has formed a panel to investigate the crash and expects to release a report within three months. Minister Naidu concluded, “We are going to fix everything that needs to be fixed to ensure safety going forward.”
