Air India has confirmed that one of its engines was new while the other was still operational, which adds complexity to the investigation after last week's tragic crash.
Air India Reveals Engine Updates Following AI171 Crash Investigation
Air India Reveals Engine Updates Following AI171 Crash Investigation
New details emerge about the Air India AI171 plane crash as the airline’s chairman addresses engine conditions.
In an interview, N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, disclosed that one engine on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in AI171's crash was new, having been installed just months prior, while the second engine's servicing was not due until later this year. The crash, which tragically claimed over 270 lives, occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, prompting an intensive investigation as authorities examine flight data and cockpit recordings to ascertain the cause.
Chandrasekaran recommended caution against speculation, emphasizing that the aircraft had a good maintenance history. He noted that while the right engine was newly installed in March 2025, the left engine had undergone servicing in 2023 with another check scheduled for December 2025. This is notable considering the advanced Genx-1B engines on the Dreamliner don’t follow rigid maintenance schedules; engine health is continuously monitored using advanced technology.
Kishore Chinta, an aircraft accident investigator, explained that an engine's physical condition is not solely dependent on its age. He highlighted that even a brand new engine can have issues, regardless of its servicing timeline due solely to the nature of the engine type.
The investigation continues as Air India deals with the aftermath of the incident, which includes a 15% reduction in international operations on their wide-body aircraft. The airline stated this decision was made due to "compounding circumstances" including increased safety measures and rising tensions in the Middle East.
In response to regulatory requirements, Air India has completed inspections on a majority of its Boeing 787 fleet and has committed to further checks for the remaining aircraft. These actions are part of broader efforts to ensure safety as the airline seeks to navigate through this crisis and its ambitious transformation under Tata Sons, which acquired Air India in 2022.
Chandrasekaran recommended caution against speculation, emphasizing that the aircraft had a good maintenance history. He noted that while the right engine was newly installed in March 2025, the left engine had undergone servicing in 2023 with another check scheduled for December 2025. This is notable considering the advanced Genx-1B engines on the Dreamliner don’t follow rigid maintenance schedules; engine health is continuously monitored using advanced technology.
Kishore Chinta, an aircraft accident investigator, explained that an engine's physical condition is not solely dependent on its age. He highlighted that even a brand new engine can have issues, regardless of its servicing timeline due solely to the nature of the engine type.
The investigation continues as Air India deals with the aftermath of the incident, which includes a 15% reduction in international operations on their wide-body aircraft. The airline stated this decision was made due to "compounding circumstances" including increased safety measures and rising tensions in the Middle East.
In response to regulatory requirements, Air India has completed inspections on a majority of its Boeing 787 fleet and has committed to further checks for the remaining aircraft. These actions are part of broader efforts to ensure safety as the airline seeks to navigate through this crisis and its ambitious transformation under Tata Sons, which acquired Air India in 2022.
