An Air India Boeing 787-8 flight en route to New Delhi returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff on Monday due to a reported “technical issue,” according to Indian media sources. The incident occurred just days following a tragic crash involving a similar Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the fatalities of at least 279 individuals aboard the aircraft and on the ground. That crash marked a significant and devastating first for the Dreamliner model, with only one passenger managing to survive.
The Air India flight, identified as AI315, requested to return to Hong Kong International Airport around 1 p.m. after the technical issue arose. A spokesperson from the Airport Authority of Hong Kong confirmed the return.
In a statement, Air India emphasized that the aircraft returned as a precautionary measure to undergo necessary safety checks. The airline is currently under scrutiny following the recent crash, prompting authorities to mandate additional safety inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft in their fleet.
Aviation analysts are particularly concerned about the crash, suggesting that improper positioning of wing flaps might have contributed to the accident. Dan Bubb, an aviation historian and pilot, noted that the jet appeared to struggle with lift, and speculations indicate that the flaps may not have been adjusted correctly for takeoff – a critical factor in flight safety that has been linked to past aviation incidents.
While the recent events raise significant concerns regarding the safety of the Boeing 787 fleet, the proactive measures taken by Air India to ensure thorough checks can be viewed as a positive step toward enhancing passenger safety and restoring confidence in air travel. As the aviation industry continues to address safety standards, it is essential to learn from these incidents to prevent future tragedies.