^{Photo: The Japan Times}

In the wake of a devastating crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered emergency inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian carriers. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, claimed 270 lives, making it the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over 10 years.

The announcement was made by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu during a press briefing in New Delhi on Saturday, as the country reels from the magnitude of the tragedy and scrutiny intensifies over aircraft safety.

A National Tragedy: What Happened?

The Air India Boeing 787-8, carrying 242 passengers and crew, was en route to Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom when it began to lose altitude seconds after takeoff. Within moments, the aircraft struck the hostel building of B.J. Medical College, erupting into a fireball that killed nearly everyone on board. Only one person survived.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and apocalyptic. Rescue teams spent hours recovering charred bodies and debris from the wreckage, which scattered across several city blocks.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors Association at the medical college, confirmed that at least 270 bodies had been recovered. Many were so badly burned that authorities are relying on dental forensics and DNA profiling for identification.

Fleet-Wide Safety Inspection Underway

India currently has 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its commercial aviation fleet, including 33 operated by Air India and one by IndiGo, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24. Minister Naidu confirmed that eight aircraft have already undergone inspection, and the remaining planes will be reviewed “with immediate urgency.”

While the aircraft have not been grounded, authorities have mandated a series of in-depth maintenance checks, specifically for 787s fitted with GEnx engines. These include:

• Take-off performance analysis
• Electronic engine control (EEC) diagnostics
• Fuel system evaluations

“We are leaving no stone unturned,” Naidu said. “Extended surveillance has been initiated and we are assessing all engineering aspects of these aircraft.”

A senior government source told Reuters that grounding the entire Dreamliner fleet remains under consideration, depending on what emerges from the inspections.

Probing the Crash: Technical Theories Under Review

According to internal findings reported by Reuters, investigators are exploring several mechanical and procedural issues that may have contributed to the crash:

• Failure to retract landing gear
• Reduced engine thrust during initial climb
• Potential flap malfunction

Minister Naidu confirmed that a government-appointed panel is actively investigating the crash and will deliver a full report within 90 days. The inquiry will also analyze black box data, maintenance records, and air traffic control communications.

“The safety of our citizens is paramount,” he added. “Whatever findings come from this tragic event, we will act swiftly to ensure they are addressed.”

Families Demand Answers Amid Long Wait

Outside Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, grief-stricken families are still waiting to claim the bodies of their loved ones. Authorities have cited the need for DNA verification due to the condition of the remains, and some families say they've been told to wait up to 72 hours.

Rafiq Abdul Hafiz Memon, who lost four family members, said he felt completely abandoned by the system. “We are desperate. No one is telling us anything. We lost everything in that plane,” he said.

Another parent, whose son Harshad Patel perished in the crash, expressed frustration over delays. “Even if the authorities are doing their best, we need closure. We cannot grieve properly without the body,” he told local media.

Trauma at the Crash Site

Adding to the emotional toll is the fact that the plane struck a hostel belonging to B.J. Medical College, resulting in the deaths of several medical students and staff. Many of the college’s own doctors are now participating in the grim task of identifying victims.

“It’s like treating your own,” said one doctor, speaking anonymously. “Many of us are emotionally exhausted and traumatized. These weren’t just victims — they were our friends and colleagues.”

Dr. Jaishankar Pillai, a forensic dentist assisting with identifications, said the team is working around the clock. “We have dental records for 135 victims so far. These records will be cross-matched with previous X-rays and dental charts to provide certainty to families.”

Air India’s Future in Question

The disaster has cast a long shadow over Air India, which has been working to revive its global image and expand its international presence since its acquisition by the Tata Group in 2022.

In a statement, Air India said it is complying with the regulator’s directives and performing all one-time safety checks, though it warned that “some long-haul routes may experience delays due to the additional turnaround time.”

Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed his condolences and pledged full transparency. “We are cooperating fully with the authorities. At this point, we simply don’t know what went wrong — but we intend to find out,” he said.

Boeing Under Global Scrutiny Again

The crash has reignited concerns about Boeing’s Dreamliner line, which has previously faced scrutiny over technical issues ranging from battery fires to engine reliability problems.

Boeing has not yet issued an official statement specific to the India crash but is expected to send a technical team to assist with the investigation. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly in contact with Indian regulators, and global airline safety watchdogs are closely monitoring developments.

Final Thoughts

This tragedy underscores a grim reality: aviation safety remains a complex, evolving challenge, especially in a world increasingly reliant on long-haul international flights. For India, it is a heartbreaking moment that also serves as a critical opportunity to re-evaluate aircraft oversight and emergency response protocols.

“We must learn from this loss,” said Naidu. “Not just to honor the victims, but to prevent the same nightmare from happening again.”