Plane's Maintenance Status Confirmed as Good Prior to Crash by Air India

Ahmedabad, India is still reeling from the tragic crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, leaving at least 38 souls in its wake. The plane, bound for London, exploded into a fireball moments after takeoff, slamming into a residential area.

While authorities are mum on the exact cause of the disaster, investigators are working tirelessly, sifting through debris and data in an effort to unravel the mystery. The airline has insisted that no issues were detected with the jet before the crash, claiming it was well-maintained and under regular monitoring.

In fact, they stressed that the plane's right engine was overhauled just a few months prior, with the left engine inspected shortly after. But something went terribly wrong, and it's this mystery that has gripped the nation.

The investigative unit has stated that their probe is progressing steadily. They've completed key recovery work, including site documentation and evidence collection, and are now performing further analysis.

Initial checks on Air India's Dreamliners since the crash didn't reveal any major safety concerns[6]. However, a preliminary finding hints at a possible activation of the aircraft's emergency power system - the ram air turbine (RAT) - before the crash[2]. This suggests that the plane's engines may have been operational shortly after takeoff, but something catastrophic occurred, requiring backup power.

The ram air turbine is a propeller that deploys from the aircraft's fuselage to provide emergency electrical power. Its activation prior to the crash is a crucial detail in understanding what led to the calamity. However, more detailed data from the aircraft's black boxes is needed to paint a clearer picture of events[7]. Unfortunately, these black boxes sustained heavy damage and are being sent to the US for data recovery[5].

The tragedy claimed the lives of 246 individuals, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground[1][3]. As families of the victims wait in agony for their loved ones to be identified, investigators work around the clock, piecing together the pieces of this devastating puzzle.

While no definitive cause has been disclosed to the public, it appears that the early activation of the emergency power system (RAT) is a key lead investigators are chasing[2]. Could this be the missing piece in understanding what caused the fatal incident shortly after takeoff? Time will tell.

[1] 246 Fatalities Confirmed in Ahmedabad Air Disaster, BBC News, January 7th, 2026[2] Preliminary Findings Point to RAT Activation before Air India Crash, India Today, January 7th, 2026[3] Air India Crash: Aviation Authorities Stress Accurate, Non-Speculative Findings, The Hindu, January 8th, 2026[4] Emergency Power System Activation Raises Questions in Air India Crash, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 7th, 2026[5] Black Boxes from Ahmedabad Crash Sent to US for Data Recovery, The Indian Express, January 7th, 2026[6] Initial Checks on Air India Dreamliners Reveal No Major Safety Concerns, CNN-News18, January 7th, 2026[7] Investigators Await Black Box Data to Shed Light on Ahmedabad Crash, The Economic Times, January 7th, 2026

The tragic Air India incident in Ahmedabad, India has raised concerns not only within the aviation industry, but also in the broader scope of transportation safety and health regulations.
The financial implications of this disaster for Air India and the Indian economy are significant, as the grounded Dreamliner aircraft represents a crucial investment in the nation's growing aviation industry.
As the investigation into the Air India crash continues, questions about the role of maintenance and finance in preventing such tragedies linger, highlighting the need for thorough and continuous oversight in the transportation and health sectors.