NEW DELHI: A US-based aviation safety advocacy group has raised significant concerns regarding the Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India, alleging that multiple technical faults were prevalent long before its crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Foundation for Aviation Safety (FAS) has indicated that these issues have persisted throughout the aircraft's operational history, calling into question the safety oversight and maintenance protocols of the Dreamliner fleet.

In a report presented to the US Senate, FAS revealed that the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, experienced numerous system failures from its first day in service with Air India. According to the foundation, the safety risks associated with the Boeing 787 are being “systemically downplayed” on a global scale. The FAS highlighted that their examination of maintenance and fault records suggested a troubling pattern of technical problems that spanned over the aircraft’s 11-year service life.

Among the concerns detailed in the report were significant flaws related to electronic systems, persistent circuit breaker failures, compromised wiring, and overheating components. The FAS emphasized that these failures present substantial risks to operations, citing a trend that suggests these issues are much more widespread than previously understood. Analyzing over 2,000 reports, the foundation stated that its findings represent merely “the tip of the iceberg” regarding systemic failures in the Boeing 787 fleet.

Boeing responded to these allegations by stating it would defer to the findings of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in accordance with international protocols. As investigations into the Air India crash continue, the aviation community watches closely, aware that the implications of these findings could affect safety standards and public confidence in the aircraft type.

With the crash still under investigation by Indian authorities, officials have yet to release any conclusions about the factors leading to the tragic incident. As discussions around the safety of the Boeing 787 unfold, the aviation world remains on high alert, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight and accountability in aircraft maintenance and safety practices.