‘Ground Boeing 787 Aircraft For Electrical Checks’: Federation of Indian Pilots|Image: ANI
Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Pilots(FIP)has actually revealed issues over the security of Boeing 787 airplane, mentioning concerns with electrical systems and upkeep. Captain CS Randhawa, President of FIP, required the grounding of Boeing 787 airplane and an extensive examination of their electrical systems, pointing out repeating technical issues and security issues following current events including Air India aircrafts.
Randhawa highlighted the organisation’s enduring ask for a judicial probe into the crash of Air India flight 171, which has yet to be resolved. “We were constrained to write this letter because, since the crash of 171 Air India, from the 16th of June till today, we have been requesting the minister to hold a judicial probe, which has not been held till today,” he stated.
Randhawa likewise revealed frustration with the method the Aircraft Investigation Bureau (AIB) is dealing with the query, stating, “The method the AIB is carrying out the query of 171, we are not delighted with that.” Randhawa kept in mind that repeating issues with electrical systems posture a threat to airplane security.
The FIP president revealed issues over the upkeep of Air India airplane, especially after the airline company ended its agreement with AIESL, a federal government entity. He declared that freshly hired engineers do not have experience, which might jeopardize airplane security. “On the other hand, there are problems with the Air India aircraft because they have now moved out of the maintenance contract with AIESL, which is a government entity,” he stated.
“Since that time, new engineers have been recruited from various fields; they are not as experienced, which is causing problems in aircraft maintenance,” Randhawa included. Stressing the requirement for instant restorative procedures, Randhawa stated, “We’ve asked for a grounding of the 787 fleet and a comprehensive look for electrical systems.”
FIP composed to the Minister of Civil Aviation on Friday, calling for the grounding of all Boeing 787 airplane run by Air India following a series of severe technical breakdowns connected to electrical system failures, as well as an unique DGCA audit of Air India’s airplane for upkeep.
In its letter dated October 10, 2025, Captain CS Randhawa, President of FIP, the pilots’ body, pointed out 2 significant occurrences that took place within a week, including AI-117 and AI-154, as proof of aggravating security requirements and bad upkeep oversight. The letter checked out, “Since June 16, 1925, we have actually repeated that all B-787s in the nation should be completely looked for their electrical systems.
On 04 Oct, the RAT released on AI-117 a/c while on method at BHX. On 09 Oct, AI-154 from Vienna to Delhi diverted to Dubai due to significant technical concerns, where the auto-pilot system all of a sudden stopped working, activating a series of technical breakdowns. The airplane experienced failures throughout crucial systems, consisting of auto-pilots, ILS (Instrument Landing System), Flight Directors (FDs), and Flight Control System Degradation, without any autoland ability.
The pilots were not able to engage the auto-pilots due to electrical breakdowns; for that reason, they were required to fly by hand during the night and divert to Dubai.” The FDs were not readily available with abject flight control systems. The airplane landed securely in Dubai. We applaud the ability of the pilots in flying the airplane securely to Dubai in the evening with restricted automation/systems.
Air India unconditionally rejects any assertion that there was an electrical failure in the AI 154 airplane. The Federation alerted that such duplicated failures, specifically after the AI-171 crash, show much deeper concerns in the airplane’s electrical systems and upkeep practices.
The letter declared that the issues have actually increased because Air India moved upkeep duties from AIESL (Air India Engineering Services Ltd.) to freshly employed engineers. The FIP has actually advised the Ministry of Civil Aviation to do something about it. They required a comprehensive examination of both the AI-117 and AI-154 occurrences.
Furthermore, they suggested grounding all Air India Boeing 787 airplane up until thorough checks of the electrical systems are finished. The FIP likewise asked for an unique audit by the DGCA of Air India’s upkeep practices, with a specific concentrate on Minimum Equipment List (MEL) releases and repeating technical problems with the B-787 airplane.