N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Air India, has revealed that one of the engines of the plane that crashed last week was new, while the other was not due for servicing until December. In an interview with Times Now channel, Chandrasekaran said, “The right engine was a new engine put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023 and due for its next maintenance check in December 2025”. He emphasized that both engines had “clean” histories, stating, “The fact that I know so far is this particular aircraft, this specific tail, AI171, has a clean history”.
Chandrasekaran cautioned against jumping to conclusions, adding, “I am told by all the experts that the black box and recorders will definitely tell the story. So, we just have to wait for that”. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with experts analyzing the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the cause of the incident.¹
Expert Insights on Engine Maintenance
Kishore Chinta, a former investigator with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, noted that the condition of an aircraft engine is not necessarily linked to its age, particularly for the Genx-1B engines used on the Boeing 787-8. “The age of the engine has no bearing on the health of the engine, especially for the Genx-1B engines,” Chinta said. These engines are equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control system that continuously monitors engine health and performance, making maintenance decisions based on data and physical inspections.
Investigation Progress and Safety Measures
The investigation committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, includes representatives from various authorities, such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Indian Air Force, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Air India has announced a 15% cut in its international operations on wide-body aircraft until mid-July, citing “compounding circumstances” including enhanced safety checks and increased caution by crew and ground staff.
In response to the crash, India’s aviation regulator ordered additional safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as a preventive measure. The airline has completed inspections on 26 of its 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, clearing them for service. The remaining aircraft will undergo enhanced safety checks in the coming days.²
Impact on Air India’s Transformation
The crash is likely to impact Air India’s ambitious turnaround as it transforms from a troubled state-owned carrier to a privately-owned company. Tata Sons, the conglomerate that owns Air India, acquired the airline from the Indian government in 2022. The incident may have long-term implications for the airline’s operations and reputation.