Aviation safety campaigners in the United States are raising alarms about a series of technical failures regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed in India last year, resulting in the loss of 260 lives shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London.
The Foundation for Aviation Safety has compiled a presentation sent to the US Senate detailing its findings based on documents obtained about the aircraft's operational history. While the official investigation remains ongoing, speculation about the causes of the crash intensified following an interim report published in July, leading to significant controversy.
The aircraft involved, registered as VT-ANB, had been in service with Air India since early 2014 and was noted for experiencing system failures from its inaugural day. Allegations point towards a myriad of engineering, manufacturing, quality, and maintenance issues that plagued this 787 Dreamliner.
Reports indicate instances of electrical faults, repeated circuit breaker failures, damaged wiring, short circuits, loss of electrical current, and overheating of components. Notably, a fire occurred in January 2022 in one of the power distribution panels, leading to extensive damage that warranted a complete replacement of the panel.
The concerns surrounding the safety of this aircraft model are compounded by previous incidents, including a major battery fire in 2013 that temporarily grounded the entire 787 fleet. Despite these alarming findings, Boeing has historically asserted that the 787 maintains a robust safety record.
The Foundation for Aviation Safety's report has also been directed to the US Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, linking the crash to broader concerns about Boeing's safety culture. American officials have participated in the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The AAIB’s preliminary report suggests a potential malfunction during take-off, with fuel control switches reportedly moved to a cut-off position, leading to loss of power and thrust. This revelation raised questions about pilot actions at a critical moment but has drawn criticism from stakeholders advocating for a more thorough investigation into the aircraft's mechanical integrity instead of prematurely attributing blame on the pilots.
Ed Pierson, the foundation's leader and former Boeing manager, has voiced serious doubts about the safety protocols surrounding aircraft operations. His organization has previously examined around 2,000 failure reports across multiple Boeing 787 units, corroborating concerns about the safety of the Dreamliner.
