Pilots’ body issues BIG warning after malfunction on Air India flights: ‘Ground all…’
In his letter dated October 10, federation president Captain CS Randhawa cited two major incidents within a week, involving AI-117 and AI-154, as evidence of the airline’s deteriorating safety standards and inadequate maintenance oversight. Read on for more information on this subject.
An Air India plane crashed in June, killing more than 250 people.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Friday wrote to the Union Civil Aviation Minister calling for the grounding of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India due to a series of serious technical faults linked to electrical system faults. In his letter dated October 10, federation president Captain CS Randhawa cited two major incidents within a week, involving AI-117 and AI-154, as evidence of the airline’s deteriorating safety standards and inadequate maintenance oversight.
What did FIP say in its letter?
Captain Randhawa’s letter reads: “We reiterated that all B-787s in the country must be thoroughly checked for electrical systems since 16 June 2025. On 04 October, RAT deployed to AI-117 a/c on approach to BHX. On 09 October, AI-154 from Vienna to Delhi experienced major technical problems where the autopilot system suddenly failed to trigger a trip living was directed to Dubai. a series of technical failures. The aircraft experienced malfunctions in critical systems such as Autopilots, ILS (Instrument Landing System), Flight Directors (FDs) and Flight Control System Disruption, which does not feature Autoland. The pilots were unable to operate the autopilots due to electrical faults; therefore the pilots had to fly manually at night and head towards Dubai. Moreover, FDs cause impaired flight control. systems that did not have it. The plane landed safely in Dubai. “We appreciate the pilots’ ability to fly the aircraft safely to Dubai at night with limited automation/systems.”
What did Air India say about the events?
Air India categorically denies any allegation that there was an electrical fault in aircraft AI-154. “The safety of passengers and crew remains a top priority at Air India,” the airline said in a statement. The pilots’ federation warned that such repeated failures, especially after the AI-171 crash in June this year, pointed to deeper problems with the aircraft’s electrical systems and maintenance practices. The letter claimed that the problems had increased due to Air India transferring maintenance responsibilities to newly hired engineers from AIESL (Air India Engineering Services Ltd.). FIP called on the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take action. They called for a thorough investigation of both the AI-117 and AI-154 incidents. Additionally, they recommended grounding of all Air India Boeing 787 aircraft until comprehensive checks of electrical systems are completed. FIP has also requested the DGCA for a special audit of Air India’s maintenance practices, specifically focusing on Minimum Equipment List versions and recurring technical problems with the B-787 aircraft. “The safety of air travel is being jeopardized by the failure to investigate the causes of B-787 malfunctions in the country,” the letter said. emphasis was made. The letter was also sent to the Director General of DGCA and Joint Director General of DGCA (Air Safety).
(With inputs from news agency ANI).
