Mid-flight catastrophe on Air India's Delhi-Vienna route: DGCA initiates investigation
Air India, the national carrier of India, is currently under intense scrutiny following a series of safety incidents, the latest of which resulted in the tragic crash of Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed seconds after takeoff, resulting in over 260 fatalities. An official cause for the crash has yet to be announced, but investigators and airline sources have pointed to unusual behavior, such as the landing gear remaining down after takeoff, which is not standard procedure and may indicate mechanical or operational issues.
A further incident occurred on July 1, 2025, involving an Air India Boeing 777 flight departing from Delhi. The flight experienced a loss of altitude of around 900 feet during climb due to a stall warning and a "don't sink" terrain alert (GPWS). Initially, the event was downplayed as turbulence, but later analysis of flight data recorders revealed more serious warnings. Both pilots involved in this incident were subsequently suspended, and India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), launched an investigation.
In response to these incidents, Air India has taken several operational measures. The pilots involved in the recent safety incident have been suspended pending the investigation results. The airline has also reduced international wide-body flight operations by 15% to allow for intensified safety inspections. Air India has cooperated with the DGCA, disclosing all relevant information promptly, including pilot reports and flight recorder data.
The DGCA is conducting a thorough investigation into the incidents, considering multiple factors for the cause, including technical malfunction, pilot error, and adverse weather. Enhanced safety checks and revisions to operational guidelines may be recommended as part of the investigation.
Recent safety audits by the DGCA had already flagged ongoing maintenance deficiencies and insufficient defect rectification across Air India's fleet. A series of technical snags earlier this month have further raised concerns about the airline's maintenance protocols.
Balaram Menon, a journalist covering the story, reported that an Air India flight was delayed for over 5 hours at Mumbai airport due to hay found on the wing. This incident comes two days after the fatal crash involving another Air India aircraft. Both cockpit crew members of the Air India flight have been taken off duty pending the outcome of the probe.
Amid these developments, Air India staff have been asked to resign following a viral party video. Users can sign up for the Daily Briefing, a news service offering the latest news and updates, to receive news straight to their inbox.
The investigation into the Air India flight incident continues, and the airline and Indian aviation authorities are actively working to improve operational safety standards. Formal investigation findings and specific safety recommendations have not yet been publicly released, but the ongoing investigations, regulatory oversight, and operational adjustments reflect an urgent effort to address potential safety flaws in Air India's fleet and procedures following these tragedies.
- The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, has necessitated a thorough investigation by the DGCA, as the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed seconds after takeoff, causing over 260 fatalities.
- Amid these safety incidents, the DGCA is considering multiple factors for the cause, including technical malfunction, pilot error, and adverse weather, facilitated by recent technical snags and ongoing maintenance deficiencies flagged in safety audits.
- In response to these incidents, Air India has suspended the pilots involved, reduced international wide-body flight operations by 15%, and cooperated with the DGCA, disclosing all relevant information promptly.
- The news service, Daily Briefing, offers the latest news and updates, including coverage of the ongoing Air India investigation and subsequent industry impacts.
- Aviation news sources suggest that enhanced safety checks, revisions to operational guidelines, and potential industry-wide finance and transportation infrastructural modifications are being proposed to address these safety flaws in Air India's fleet and procedures.
