Air India’s Boeing 787 faces second technical issue in a week; pilots’ body urges DGCA to ground fleet and conduct special audit
A Delhi-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANC) operating from Vienna to Delhi on Thursday night was diverted to Dubai following a technical snag, marking the second incident involving Air India’s Dreamliner fleet in just a week. The flight later resumed its journey and landed safely in Delhi after necessary checks, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
According to the airline, the aircraft’s autopilot system was reset and the flight landed at Delhi’s IGI Airport around noon on Friday. Air India maintained that there was no safety issue and that passenger safety remains its top priority.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has urged the aviation ministry and DGCA to ground Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet amid recurring electrical failures and safety concerns.
While Air India insisted its Dreamliners are “perfectly safe to fly,” the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) expressed alarm over repeated malfunctions. In a letter to the Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the FIP demanded that all Boeing 787 aircraft be grounded pending a comprehensive electrical system audit.
The FIP cited two serious incidents within days: the October 4 incident in which the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed unexpectedly on an Amritsar-Birmingham flight, and the October 9 diversion of the Vienna-Delhi flight due to major autopilot and electrical system failures.
“The autopilot system suddenly failed, triggering a series of malfunctions across critical systems, including flight controls and the instrument landing system,” the FIP wrote. “Pilots were forced to fly manually at night and divert to Dubai.”
Despite the malfunctions, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely, earning praise from the FIP for their professionalism and skill.
Air India, however, dismissed any indication of systemic failure, stating:
“The aircraft landed safely at Dubai and underwent all necessary checks. There was no electrical failure in the said aircraft,” the airline clarified.
Meanwhile, the DGCA is investigating the October 4 RAT deployment, while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its probe into the June 12 AI171 crash involving another Air India Dreamliner.
Air India further explained that the uncommanded RAT deployment during the Birmingham flight was not due to any system fault or pilot error, and that similar occurrences have been reported by other airlines operating the Boeing 787. The aircraft involved was cleared for service after detailed inspection.
As investigations continue, Air India reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards and assured full cooperation with regulatory authorities.
