Two former Air India flight attendants have approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that they were terminated after refusing to alter their statements regarding a malfunction involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner door in May 2024. The incident, according to their letter, involved the unexpected deployment of a slide raft despite the door being opened in manual mode.
The flight in question, AI-129, had landed at London Heathrow from Mumbai on May 14, 2024. The crew allege that after passengers disembarked, they followed standard checklist procedures and confirmed that the rear L4 door was set to manual. When the door was opened, the emergency slide deployed, which normally occurs only when the door is armed or in automatic mode.
The letter states that this technical anomaly was initially corroborated in writing by both the commander and the cabin-in-charge. However, the crew allege that Air India management subsequently instructed them to revise their statements, and upon refusal, issued termination orders within 48 hours.
“We were threatened with termination for telling the truth,” their letter stated. The attendants, both of whom have served Air India for over 20 years, claim the airline and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suppressed the incident and failed to launch a formal investigation.
Their claims have gained renewed attention following the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 people onboard and at least 39 on the ground. The accident marked the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since the model’s introduction.
Flight AI171 had taken off from Ahmedabad Airport at 13:38 IST en route to London Gatwick. Within 30 seconds of takeoff, the aircraft issued a mayday call reporting a loss of power and thrust. It reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before descending and crashing into a hostel building. The sole survivor, a British national seated near an emergency exit, managed to escape through a ruptured panel.
The aircraft involved in the crash was registered as VT-ANB and was nearly 12 years old. It had been delivered to Air India in January 2014 and was powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B67 engines. The crash occurred just 1.5 kilometers from the runway. Several explosions followed the impact, and debris, including the tail section, came to rest atop the hostel building.
According to preliminary investigations, the crew had properly deployed the flaps and other control surfaces for takeoff. The ram air turbine (RAT), a backup power system, was reportedly deployed, suggesting a possible dual-engine failure. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India is leading the investigation with support from US and UK safety boards.
In their letter to the Prime Minister, the whistleblowers argue that systemic negligence may have contributed to broader safety failures within Air India. They allege that incidents involving Dreamliners, including the 2024 door malfunction, were not thoroughly addressed. Despite filing a complaint with the Central Vigilance Commission, they claim no formal response has been received.
The two attendants were responsible for operating the L4 door during the 2024 incident. They insist that all checklist procedures were followed and that the door was confirmed to be in manual mode. The deployment of the slide under these conditions indicated a critical failure in the door mechanism. They further claim that the pilot, who had initially acknowledged the malfunction, later retracted his statement.
Following the AI171 crash, Air India announced the retirement of the flight numbers AI171 and AI172, replacing them with AI159 and AI160. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has pledged compensation to victims’ families and committed to rebuilding damaged infrastructure in Ahmedabad.
Boeing has dispatched technical teams to assist with the investigation. CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show appearance and stated that the company was reviewing technical data. Shares of Boeing declined significantly following news of the crash.
