An Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area, killing 265 people. The flight, bound for London from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, met with disaster shortly after takeoff. The incident has ignited controversy, with political leaders and experts raising serious concerns about the Boeing Dreamliner involved.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray took to Facebook, questioning why the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) failed to act despite numerous complaints about Boeing’s Dreamliner. Citing past issues, including a 2013 fire incident on a Japan Airlines Dreamliner, Thackeray demanded accountability, stating, “Though I’m not an aviation expert, I’ve read enough to raise questions about the Dreamliner’s safety record.”
Shiv Sena questioned the absence of a third pilot on the flight, while RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav called for a thorough investigation, noting the Dreamliner is a relatively new aircraft. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also demanded immediate clarification on the crash.
Former Aviation Commissioner Sharda Prasad suggested that insufficient thrust, weather conditions, or errors in reading load and temperature data could have contributed to the tragedy. He speculated that the plane failed to gain adequate altitude during takeoff, prompting the pilot to issue a ‘Mayday’ signal. Despite attempts by air traffic control to establish contact, the plane crashed into a building seconds later.
Adding fuel to the debate, former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour’s prior allegations resurfaced, claiming the company took shortcuts in manufacturing its 787 Dreamliner jets. As investigations continue, the nation mourns and demands answers.
