Aviation safety campaigners in the United States say they have evidence that a plane that crashed in India last year had previously suffered a series of technical failures, including an in-flight fire.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed on June 12, shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing 260 people.
The Foundation for Aviation Safety, a US campaign group, sent a presentation to the US Senate outlining its findings, which are based on documents that have come into their possession. The official investigation into the accident is ongoing, but an interim report published in July sparked widespread speculation and controversy. Boeing declined to comment.
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was one of the earliest built 787s, entering service with Air India in early 2014. The Foundation claims that the plane experienced system failures from its first day, caused by various engineering, manufacturing, quality, and maintenance issues. Failures included software faults, short circuits, and overheating components.
In January 2022, a fire occurred in the P100 power distribution panel, a critical component responsible for distributing high-voltage power. Pilots reported faults during a descent into Frankfurt, with damage severe enough to require the panel’s replacement.
The Foundation’s report has been sent to the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which has previously examined Boeing's safety culture. The investigation into the crash is being conducted by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with US officials involved due to the aircraft's American design and manufacturing.
A preliminary report published by the AAIB includes controversial findings regarding pilot actions at the time of the crash, leading to speculation about human error versus technical failure. The Foundation for Aviation Safety has criticized the focus on pilots, suggesting it detracts from the potential mechanical issues that contributed to the accident.
Boeing has consistently maintained that the 787 is a safe aircraft, boasting a strong operational record. However, safety concerns continue to be expressed about various systems on the aircraft model, particularly after the Ahmedabad incident.
As investigations continue, calls for increased scrutiny on Boeing’s practices and the aircraft's overall safety record are growing, with advocates urging attention towards possible systemic issues affecting aircraft reliability.
