Air India Confirms Engine Status Following Tragic AI171 Plane Crash

Air India has stated that one engine on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed last week, was newly installed while the other was not due for servicing until December 2025. This comes in light of the tragic incident that took the lives of at least 270 people. Investigators are analyzing flight data and black boxes to determine the cause of the disaster, amidst Air India's efforts to enhance safety measures.

Air India is facing scrutiny following the devastating crash of flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in India, resulting in the death of over 270 individuals. In response, the airline's Chairman N Chandrasekaran has confirmed that one engine was new, installed in March 2025, while the other was last serviced in 2023 and was not scheduled for its next check until December 2025. Both engines reportedly have "clean" histories, and Chandrasekaran urged the public not to jump to conclusions regarding the crash.

Investigators are currently retrieving and analyzing data from the black boxes to gain insights into the final moments of the flight. Former investigator Kishore Chinta has pointed out that engine age does not necessarily equate to its reliability, specifically pertaining to the Genx-1B engines used in the Boeing 787-8. Continuous monitoring through the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system determines when servicing or replacement is needed, regardless of the engine's age.

In the aftermath of the crash, Air India announced a temporary 15% reduction in international operations for wide-body aircraft and implemented enhanced safety checks on its fleet. The airline has completed inspections on 26 of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, which have been cleared for service. The remaining aircraft will be inspected shortly. While this curtailment is viewed as a necessary but painful response to the crash and external factors, it poses a challenge to Air India's aspirations for transformation following its acquisition by Tata Sons in 2022.

As the situation continues to evolve, the aviation community remains on high alert, with heightened safety protocols now in place across Air India and potential repercussions for its future operations.