The tragic Air India plane crash 2025 has shaken the aviation world, raising urgent questions about aircraft safety, engine reliability, and crisis preparedness in commercial airlines. The disaster, which occurred just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, claimed the lives of at least 270 individuals—most of them passengers—onboard Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London.
Engine Was Recently Installed, Says Air India Chairman
In a televised interview, Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran revealed that one of the aircraft’s engines had been newly installed in March 2025, while the second engine was not due for servicing until December this year. “The right engine was brand new. The left engine underwent its last maintenance in 2023,” he clarified, dismissing early speculation that the aircraft was operating with outdated or unsafe components.
Chandrasekaran also emphasized that the flight history of AI171 was clean, with no prior mechanical or operational flags. “I urge people not to jump to conclusions. The black box will tell the true story,” he added.
Flight AI171 Crashed Moments After Takeoff
The ill-fated flight had barely cleared the runway when it plunged to the ground near the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Investigators are now poring over flight data and cockpit voice recordings from the aircraft’s black box to reconstruct the final moments before impact.
Preliminary analysis indicates no distress call was issued, suggesting a catastrophic failure occurred too quickly for pilots to react. Aviation experts believe that flight data, once decoded, will reveal whether the incident was a mechanical failure, a software glitch, or possibly external interference.
Aviation Experts Question Engine Performance Despite Being New
Veteran aviation investigator Kishore Chinta cautioned that an engine’s age is not always a reliable indicator of its performance. “With modern engines like the GEnx-1B used in the Boeing 787, continuous digital monitoring replaces traditional time-based servicing,” he said. “Even a new engine can fail if there’s a manufacturing defect or oversight.”
These engines are equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems that track real-time health metrics. However, critical components called Life-Limited Parts (LLPs) still have defined cycle limits—typically between 15,000 and 20,000 takeoff-to-landing sequences. Whether such a component played a role in the Air India plane crash 2025 remains under investigation.
Air India Slashes International Operations by 15%
As the airline navigates this crisis, it has announced a 15% cut in wide-body international flights until mid-July. In an official statement, Air India cited “a combination of operational and external factors,” including heightened safety inspections, additional crew briefings, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
This move, although painful, reflects a strategic focus on passenger safety and regulatory compliance. Air India confirmed that 26 out of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft have been inspected and cleared for service. The remaining aircraft, along with the Boeing 777 fleet, will undergo enhanced safety checks in the coming days.
National Tragedy Could Disrupt Air India’s Transformation Plan
The Air India plane crash 2025 comes at a critical moment in the airline’s transformation journey. Since its privatization in 2022, when Tata Sons acquired the airline from the Indian government, Air India has been pursuing an ambitious modernization drive—investing in fleet upgrades, service improvements, and global expansion.
However, this devastating crash may pose a major setback to those efforts. Industry analysts warn that rebuilding public trust and regulatory confidence will take significant time and transparency.
A Nation Awaits Answers
As investigators continue to examine every angle—from engine telemetry to maintenance logs—the world watches closely. The Air India plane crash 2025 is not just a tragic accident; it is a wake-up call for the entire aviation industry. Passengers, regulators, and airline executives alike are demanding accountability, clarity, and above all, action.
