In the wake of the devastating Air India crash that claimed over 240 lives on Thursday, U.S. transportation officials have stated there is currently no evidence warranting the grounding of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The ill-fated Flight AI-171 crashed into a residential complex just 30 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, sparking renewed global scrutiny of the aircraft model.
At a press briefing in Washington, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Chris Rocheleau emphasized that while the tragedy is under thorough review, it is premature to draw conclusions about the safety of the Boeing 787.
“There’s no current indication that the Dreamliner poses a systemic risk,” Duffy said. “Our investigators need to get on the ground, examine the wreckage, and analyze the data. Making assumptions based on preliminary videos or speculation is not how safety decisions should be made.”
Officials confirmed that teams from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FAA, Boeing, and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace are preparing to travel to India to support the ongoing investigation led by Indian authorities.
Duffy stressed that the FAA is closely monitoring developments and remains in constant communication with Boeing and GE Aerospace. “We’re fully committed to a fact-based investigation and are prepared to act immediately if any safety issues are uncovered,” he said. “We will not hesitate to implement any necessary safety measures to protect the flying public.”
Rocheleau echoed this sentiment, stating that the FAA will stay alert to any emerging risks. “If at any point in the investigation new data points to a potential hazard, we’ll take appropriate action to mitigate that risk swiftly.”
Coordination between U.S. and Indian agencies is already underway, and Duffy noted he had personally spoken with NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy regarding the incident. U.S. officials have pledged full cooperation with Indian authorities as they seek to determine what caused the sudden and catastrophic crash.
As the investigation unfolds, the FAA has promised transparency and responsiveness, assuring the public that safety will remain the highest priority.
