Air India has stated that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in last week’s fatal crash was “well-maintained” before the incident, which claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 people on board.
The aircraft, operating as Flight 171, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, plunging into a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad. In addition to passengers and crew, the crash caused the deaths of at least 38 people on the ground.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators are currently analyzing data from the jet’s black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder.
In a statement on Thursday, Air India emphasized that no issues were identified with the aircraft prior to the flight. “The aircraft was well-maintained, with its last major inspection carried out in June 2023,” the airline said. “The right engine was overhauled in March 2025, while the left engine underwent inspection in April 2025. Both engines, as well as the aircraft, were under continuous monitoring and showed no signs of trouble.”
The London-bound Dreamliner exploded into flames after crashing in the densely populated neighborhood, raising concerns over safety protocols. However, initial inspections of other Boeing 787s in Air India’s fleet have not revealed any immediate safety issues, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reported that the investigation is “progressing steadily.” A statement from the bureau noted that key recovery efforts, including site documentation and evidence collection, have been completed, with detailed analysis now underway.
Air India provided a breakdown of the nationalities on board: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.
The airline also released details about the flight crew. The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior pilot and instructor with over 10,000 hours of experience on widebody aircraft. First Officer Clive Kunder had logged over 3,400 flying hours.
Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to await news. As of Thursday, DNA testing has identified 210 of the deceased, according to Gujarat State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.
