New Delhi, June 30 - In a troubling development that has sparked significant controversy, Air India, one of India's flagship carriers, terminated two senior cabin crew members after they reported a technical malfunction involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May 2024. The incident on Flight AI-129 from Mumbai to London Heathrow involved a door malfunction on the aircraft, registered as VT-ANQ. According to the crew, the L4 door, which was confirmed to be in manual mode as per protocol, unexpectedly deployed its emergency slide raft upon opening after passenger disembarkation at Heathrow Airport. This malfunction, which should only occur when the door is in automatic or "armed" mode, raised serious safety concerns about the aircraft's systems. The crew members, both with over two decades of service at Air India, claimed that their initial report was corroborated in writing by the pilot and cabin-in-charge, lending credibility to their account. However, the airline allegedly pressured them to revise their statements to claim the door was opened in automatic mode, which would align with the slide deployment. Refusing to alter their account, the crew members were subsequently dismissed, with Air India citing "misconduct and behavior" and the falsification of critical information during the investigation as the reasons for their termination.
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The incident has gained heightened attention in light of the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. The crash, which killed 241 of the 242 people onboard and at least 19 on the ground, marked the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. The two former crew members have since written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the door malfunction they reported in 2024 was suppressed by both Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). They claim their termination was an attempt to silence whistleblowers raising legitimate safety concerns about the Boeing 787 fleet. Their complaint, filed with the Central Vigilance Commission in 2024, underscores their assertion that the issue was not isolated and could have broader implications for the aircraft's safety.
Air India's response has been to emphasize that the crew members were given multiple opportunities to reconsider their statements, which the airline suggested may have been submitted in error. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has stated that the crashed aircraft was "well-maintained," with its last major maintenance check in June 2023 and the next scheduled for December 2025. However, the airline's actions have drawn scrutiny, particularly as the Ahmedabad crash investigation explores multiple factors, including potential sabotage and software-related issues. Aviation expert Mary Schiavo, in a discussion with The Sunday Guardian, raised concerns about a possible computer-triggered engine thrust rollback in the Boeing 787, referencing a prior software malfunction investigated by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. This has intensified questions about the aircraft's reliability and the airline's handling of safety reports.
The termination of the crew members has prompted calls for a deeper investigation. The Aviation Industry Employees’ Guild has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into Air India’s actions, alleging an attempt to cover up the technical fault. Meanwhile, Indian authorities have ordered enhanced safety checks on Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet following the crash, though no grounding orders have been issued. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about airline safety protocols, the treatment of whistleblowers, and the reliability of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a workhorse for many global carriers. As investigations continue, the case underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in addressing aviation safety issues to prevent future tragedies.