Following the tragic crash of AI Flight 171 that claimed the lives of 241 passengers on Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed Air India to implement heightened maintenance protocols for its Boeing fleet.
In an official statement, the DGCA said, “As a preventive measure DGCA hereby directs Air India to carry out following additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircrafts equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect.”
The letter called for a one-time check before departure of flight from India with effect from June 15 midnight.
The check must include:
a) Inspection of Fuel Parameter Monitoring and associated system checks.
b) Inspection of Cabin air compressor and associated systems.
c) Electronic Engine Control-System Test.
d) Engine Fuel Driven Actuator-Operational Test and oil system check.
e) Serviceability check of Hydraulic system.
f) Review of Take-off parameters.
In addition, the DGCA has mandated that a ‘Flight Control Inspection’ be included as part of the transit inspection process until further notice. Authorities have also instructed Air India to conduct Power Assurance Checks on the affected Boeing aircraft within two weeks.
“Closure of maintenance action based upon the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days on B787-8/9 aircraft at the earliest. The report of the above checks is to be submitted to DGCA for review. This issues with the approval of competent authority,” the statement added.
