An Air India flight (AI-171) heading from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 242 people on board. According to DGCA, the flight took off from Runway 23 at around 1:39 PM on June 12. Just moments after takeoff, the pilot issued a “MAYDAY” call to Air Traffic Control. Soon after the call, contact with the aircraft was lost, and the plane crashed within the airport premises.
Several Questions Arise After the Crash
Following the crash of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, many questions are being raised, including serious concerns regarding Air India’s safety protocols. People are questioning the age of the aircraft and the general lifespan of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Also Read-: Air India Plane Crash: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Price and Past Controversies
What Is the Lifespan of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner?
The Boeing 787 project was launched in 2003 under the name 7E7. Later, after receiving over 500,000 online votes, it was officially named “Dreamliner.” Generally, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a lifespan of around 30 years under normal flying conditions. With proper and regular maintenance, its operational life can be extended. However, if maintenance is neglected, the aircraft may experience technical issues or even risk accidents before reaching its expected lifespan.
Also Read: Who Were the Two Pilots of Air India AI171 Who Tried Their Best but Couldn’t Prevent the Crash?
How Old Was Air India’s Aircraft?
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a twin-engine wide-body airliner that made its first flight in December 2009. It officially entered commercial service in October 2011 with launch customer All Nippon Airways. The crashed aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was a Boeing 787-8 model built in 2012 and inducted into Air India’s fleet in September 2012. This means the aircraft was approximately 13 years old at the time of the crash.
Past Concerns Over the Dreamliner
Over the years, there have been multiple technical concerns raised about the Dreamliner model. According to reports, a Dreamliner aircraft in the U.S. had to be diverted several times within 25 days due to hydraulic leaks and flap issues. Additionally, the manufacturing quality of the Dreamliner has also come under scrutiny in the past, raising further questions about its long-term reliability.