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Qantas and Jetstar are keeping a close eye on investigations into last week’s Air India crash as the carrier inspects the rest of its 787 fleet.
The cause of the AI171 accident, which killed 241 people on board and more than 50 on the ground when the 787-8 crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off on Thursday, remains unknown, though one of the black boxes has been recovered.
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In a statement, a Qantas Group spokesperson offered condolences to the loved ones of those killed in the crash. Qantas has noted its 787s have flown safely for millions of hours; the Flying Kangaroo operates 14 787-9s, while Jetstar flies 11 787-8s, the same variant as in the Air India crash.
“Aviation authorities are in the process of thoroughly investigating the cause of this incident and we will closely monitor their findings,” the spokesperson said.
In audio from the cockpit, pilot Sumeet Sabharwal can be heard issuing a mayday call to air traffic control saying the plane had no thrust, was losing power and was “unable to lift”.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered Air India to perform one-time maintenance checks on its entire 787 fleet with General Electric GEnx engines, including their fuel systems, hydraulics, engine control, and cabin air.
“These checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations,” Air India said in a social media statement on Saturday.
“Air India has completed such checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft and are on track to complete this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeline provided by the regulator.
“Some of these checks could lead to higher turnaround time and potential delays on certain long-haul routes especially those to airports with operating curfews.”
The accident was the first ever fatal hull loss of a 787 Dreamliner, of which 1,148 are currently in use around the world. The 11.5-year-old plane involved, VT-ANB, was delivered in 2014 according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, and was one of 34 in the Air India fleet.
In a statement, Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg said the planemaker is offering its full support to Air India and will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide further information.
“A Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau,” Ortberg said.
Boeing currently has orders for 900 more Dreamliners, including 12 787-9s from Qantas; Air India has 20 787s on order with options for another 24.
