The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed while operating as Air India flight AI 171 had no history of technical faults, according to the airline’s chairman. In an interview with Times Now, N Chandrasekaran said the aircraft’s logs showed no red flags and that both engines were in reliable working condition. He also said, ‘Initial investigation report expected within 30 days.’

He emphasised, “The aircraft had a clean engine history.”

This reassurance comes at a time when public concern over fleet safety is running high. Chandrasekaran’s statements are the first official comments addressing the jet’s technical background.

New engine fitted just months before crash

Offering details on the aircraft’s maintenance timeline, Chandrasekaran told Times Now, “The right engine was a new engine which was put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023.”

These remarks suggest the aircraft had undergone major component replacements within the recent cycle of scheduled maintenance. No engine-related alerts or discrepancies had been reported before take-off.

The jet had been operating routine services without any prior interruptions or emergency landings, according to internal airline sources not named in the interview.

No maintenance warnings or technical flags

Chandrasekaran was direct in stating there were no unresolved maintenance warnings tied to the aircraft.“There were no red flags or maintenance issues,” he said, underscoring that the Dreamliner’s operational status was consistent with industry standards.

These aircraft, known for their long-range capability and lighter composite build, form a major part of Air India’s international fleet. Flight AI 171 was one such wide-body aircraft.

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Beyond the specifics of AI 171, Chandrasekaran defended the overall safety record of Boeing 787s in Air India’s possession.

He told Times Now, “Never been safety concerns raised, Dreamliners have been operating for a long time.”

His comments reflect a broader confidence in the model, despite growing public anxieties around aircraft maintenance across Indian carriers.

The airline has not released further technical data publicly, but Chandrasekaran confirmed that investigations are ongoing and Air India is cooperating with all authorities.