In the wake of last week’s horrifying Air India crash, attention is now turning to another eerily similar incident that happened nearly two years ago.

Turns out, the same type of aircraft—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—was forced to make an emergency landing in 2023 due to a serious engine failure.

That earlier emergency is now under renewed scrutiny, especially after the sole survivor of the recent crash mentioned hearing a loud noise just before impact—almost identical to what pilots reported back in 2023.

A Mid-Air Emergency That Should Have Been a Wake-Up Call

The earlier incident took place on a flight between Mumbai and London in August 2023.

About an hour into the 14-hour journey, pilots heard a loud “thud” before the aircraft’s left engine suddenly lost power.

They quickly turned the plane around, and thankfully, that emergency ended without casualties.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) investigated and found that the left engine—manufactured by General Electric—had failed because of a botched maintenance job.

A turbine blade had been incorrectly secured during routine work, eventually breaking loose mid-flight.

Specifically, a high-pressure compressor blade came undone because the locking lugs in Stage 10 weren’t installed correctly.

Echoes of Disaster: Survivor’s Testimony Aligns

Fast forward to last Thursday’s tragedy—survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only person to make it out alive, recalled hearing a loud noise right before the aircraft went down.

His seat, 11A, was located frighteningly close to the same left engine that failed in the 2023 incident.

Investigators are now combing through the wreckage to determine whether there’s a direct link between the two events.

A Broken System: Aviation Safety Staff Shortages

But it’s not just mechanical failures under the microscope.

India’s aviation safety system itself appears to be buckling under pressure.

A recent report by the Indian Parliament’s transport committee revealed that over 53% of positions at the DGCA remain unfilled.

Out of 1,633 posts, only 754 are occupied.

And it doesn’t stop there.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)—responsible for keeping passengers and airports safe—has nearly 35% of its positions vacant.

Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which handles airport infrastructure and air traffic, says the staff shortage is hurting efficiency and stalling expansion projects.

Lawmakers Sound the Alarm

Parliamentarians are now raising “fundamental concerns” about whether these key agencies are even capable of doing their jobs.

One member put it bluntly: “Chronic understaffing could undermine safety, security, and service delivery standards, especially as passenger numbers continue to rise.”

The committee is urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation to speed up hiring and fix the cracks in oversight, security, and airport operations before another tragedy strikes.

Grounded and Inspected: DGCA Orders Immediate Action

After the recent crash, the DGCA wasted no time in issuing an urgent directive to Air India.

All Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft with GE engines must undergo extra inspections.

These include:

Fuel monitoring system checks
Tests on the electronic engine control systems
Hydraulic system reviews
Analysis of take-off parameters
Mandatory “power assurance checks” on each aircraft within two weeks

What’s Next?

As investigations continue, both into the recent crash and the broader state of India’s aviation industry, the big question remains: Are enough lessons being learned—and fast enough—to prevent another disaster? For now, all eyes are on the DGCA and Air India to act swiftly, responsibly, and transparently.

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