Japanese authorities have directed the country’s airlines to inspect their Boeing 787 fleets after the deadly crash of an Air India-operated 787-8. Meanwhile, officials in the United States have held off on grounding the aircraft type, citing a lack of immediate safety concerns.
According to Kyodo News, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) instructed major 787 operators All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, along with their low-cost affiliates AirJapan and ZipAir, to carry out inspections of both engines and airframes.
Together, ANA and JAL operate more than 130 Boeing 787s, making them among the world’s largest users of the aircraft type.
Transport minister Hiromasa Nakano stated that the ministry will take necessary actions after gathering information from airlines and investigators looking into the crash on 12 June.
The fatal incident involved a 12-year-old 787-8 aircraft (registration VT-ANB), which crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time. The aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace GEnx engines, was carrying 242 passengers and crew. Only one person survived, marking it as India’s deadliest aviation accident in decades and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Indian authorities have begun a formal investigation, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Despite the severity of the crash, US officials emphasized that it is too early to consider grounding the 787 fleet. FAA acting administrator Chris Rocheleau stated that a specialized team is working with investigators from India and the NTSB, and that any emerging risks would be addressed immediately.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed that sentiment, saying it would be “way too premature” to ground the aircraft. He also warned against drawing conclusions from unverified video footage circulating online, urging patience as the investigation unfolds.