US Safety Group Flags Boeing 787 Faults Before Air India Crash
A US-based aviation safety group has alleged that the Boeing 787 involved in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad suffered from technical problems since its induction. According to the Foundation for Aviation Safety (FAS), the aircraft showed repeated system failures from its first day of service. The group claimed that global regulators overlooked these warning signs. It also argued that manufacturers failed to address long-standing safety risks linked to the aircraft type. The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, involving a London-bound Air India flight.
Findings Submitted to US Senate
Earlier this month, FAS submitted a presentation to the US Senate highlighting its concerns. The foundation said it relied on internal records in its possession. However, independent agencies have not verified these documents. According to the group, the records point to frequent electrical and software faults. These include circuit breaker trips, wiring damage, short circuits, and power losses. FAS also flagged overheating of power system components. It claimed these failures reflect deeper flaws in engineering quality and maintenance standards.
Faults Allegedly Spanned Entire Service Period
According to FAS, the aircraft rolled out of Boeing’s factory in 2011 and entered Air India’s fleet in 2014. However, the group alleged that problems surfaced as soon as the aircraft arrived in India. These issues reportedly continued for over a decade. FAS cited a fire in the P100 primary power panel in January 2022 as a key example. It also referred to landing gear system failures later that year. As a result, the airline reportedly grounded the aircraft and replaced multiple components. FAS further claimed that similar electrical issues appeared in Boeing 787 aircraft operating worldwide.
Official Responses and Ongoing Probe
Meanwhile, Boeing declined to comment on the allegations in detail. The company said it would defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. It cited international aviation investigation protocols. The civil aviation ministry also refrained from commenting. Air India did not respond to queries. FAS criticised the preliminary investigation narrative. It said early findings appeared to focus on pilot error. The group compared this approach to past Boeing crash probes. It urged US regulators to conduct fleet-wide inspections. FAS also called for greater transparency during the ongoing investigation.
