Air India Faces Scrutiny Over Aircraft Safety After Deadly Crash Kills 260+
As investigators search for answers in one of the deadliest air disasters in recent history, the airline's troubled safety record returns to the spotlight.
Air India’s catastrophic plane crash last week has claimed at least 270 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. The tragedy, which unfolded moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, left just one known survivor—sparking urgent investigations and renewed scrutiny of the airline’s controversial safety record.
The Boeing 787-8 was en route to London Gatwick when it lost signal and crashed into a residential area near B J Medical College, where students were reportedly eating lunch. Horrifying eyewitness accounts describe a fire-engulfed aircraft and desperate passengers leaping from buildings to escape the flames.
“There were bodies everywhere… many were burned,” resident Poonam Patni told Agence France-Presse.
Authorities have now recovered both black boxes, including the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which is expected to shed light on the final moments of flight AI171. Investigators are currently exploring mechanical failure, including possible issues with the aircraft’s engine, wing flaps, and landing gear.
Mounting questions about Air India’s safety
Even before the crash, Air India faced widespread criticism for poor maintenance and cabin conditions. Travel experts and passengers alike have long highlighted dirty interiors, outdated aircraft, and incidents of mechanical failure.
In one widely reported 2018 case, turbulence caused a window panel to dislodge mid-flight, leading to chaos on board. More recently, a travel vlogger detailed an “awful” business-class experience, citing exposed metal, grimy surfaces, and even a power outage before takeoff.
Despite these issues, aviation authorities in Europe and the U.S. had cleared the airline for international operations.
“Air India’s reputation was extremely poor before it was privatized, but regulators still deemed it safe,” said Rhys Jones, editor at Head for Points.
A tragedy that may reshape aviation accountability
Only one man—Vishwashkumar Ramesh—survived the crash. His survival has captured international attention, though the full story of how he lived through the disaster remains under wraps.
Meanwhile, grieving families await answers. Air India has issued a public apology and set up a hotline for affected passengers’ families. The airline confirmed that among the 242 onboard were 169 Indian nationals and dozens of others from the UK, Canada, and Portugal.
As investigators work to determine what led to the devastating crash, the spotlight is now on whether systemic issues at Air India played a role—and what changes must be made to prevent another tragedy.
