India’s 787 Crash—Worst Aviation Tragedy in 10 Years

Good morning! Will you be at EAA AirVenture this year? If so, please swing by and say hello—Flybuyer Aircraft Sales will be in Hangar D at booth #4133. 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Investigators Probe Deadly Crash of Air India Dreamliner

• Around the Skies: Skydivers survive fiery Twin Otter crash, White House champions Advanced Air Mobility, First aviation MBA takes flight, House backs pilot mental health reform, Garmin goes big with G5000 Prime, Starlink static grounds United Wi-Fi, San Diego coast claims another flight

• PilotTube: These WWII Warbirds Have a New Mission… Mosquito Control?

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Inquiry Begins Into Air India Dreamliner Disaster

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade. Flight AI171 was bound for London Gatwick when it lost altitude moments after departure, striking a building on the campus of B.J. Medical College and erupting in flames. Authorities have confirmed at least 270 fatalities, with only one passenger—a British national seated in 11A—surviving the crash.

According to FlightRadar data and official CCTV footage, the aircraft lifted off at 1:38 p.m. local time, reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet, then began a tail-down descent about 17 seconds later. The plane crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff, with its landing gear still deployed and no visible signs of engine fire. The digital flight data recorder has been recovered, but the cockpit voice recorder remains missing. Investigators are examining several possible causes, including engine thrust anomalies, flap misconfiguration and landing gear malfunction. Anti-terror units were briefly involved, though terrorism is not currently a primary focus.

India’s aviation authority has ordered sweeping inspections of all Boeing 787s in the country and mandated additional preflight checks across Air India’s fleet. While the aircraft have not been grounded, the government is closely monitoring the situation as investigators work to determine the cause of the crash. A final report is expected within three months.

The tragedy comes at a challenging moment for Air India, which is working to modernize its operations and rebuild public trust. For now, the focus remains on supporting victims’ families and uncovering how a routine departure turned into a historic catastrophe.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ A skydiving flight out of Tullahoma, TN ended in a crash just after takeoff—but all 21 onboard survived. The Twin Otter struck trees while trying to return to the runway, leaving six seriously injured. Thanks to a rapid emergency response, a day meant for adrenaline became an unexpected lesson in survival. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

🛩️ The White House is giving U.S. aerospace a long-awaited lift with a sweeping executive order aimed at drones, eVTOLs and self-flying aircraft. The move cuts red tape, boosts domestic manufacturing and puts pressure on foreign rivals like DJI. A new pilot program will accelerate real-world testing of air taxis and cargo drones. It’s a bold bet on the future of American flight.

🛩️ CU Denver is launching the world’s first Executive MBA in Aviation, co-branded with Denver International Airport and set to take off in January 2026. The 18-month hybrid program combines core MBA fundamentals with practical insight across the aviation ecosystem. Classes will be held at DEN, with global residencies providing behind-the-scenes access to major airports.

🛩️ The skies are getting a little safer and more supportive as the House advances the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025. The bipartisan bill allocates $40 million to reduce stigma, expand access to care and establish non-punitive pathways for pilots seeking help. Backed by AOPA and NBAA, the legislation builds on key recommendations from the 2023 ARC report.

🛩️ Garmin just unveiled its most advanced flight deck yet—the G5000 Prime—designed for Part 25 transport aircraft. Featuring processing speeds up to 100 times faster than previous systems and four times the memory, this sleek touchscreen suite is built for the future of flight. Its open architecture allows for seamless tech integration, while crisp animations and intelligent automation aim to enhance the pilot experience.

🛩️ United Airlines hit a bit of turbulence with its Starlink satellite internet, which was found to cause static in flight deck radios on certain United Express E175s. The issue has since been identified, and a fix is being implemented during routine maintenance. Eight aircraft have already been retrofitted, with full fleet updates expected soon. Once resolved, passengers can enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi without interfering with cockpit communications.

🛩️ A tragic crash off the San Diego coast claimed six lives when a Cessna 414 went down shortly after departing for Phoenix. The pilot issued multiple mayday calls, reporting issues with heading, altitude and visibility before radar contact was lost. Debris was later discovered three miles offshore in 200 feet of water. The NTSB is investigating.

PilotTube

These warbirds aren’t just museum pieces—they’re still flying with purpose. Jeff Chorman of Chorman Spraying in Greenwood, DE, owns a remarkable WWII fleet that includes a 1943 SNJ-4, AT-11, C-18S and Stearman Model 75. Once used to train pilots and bomber crews, these vintage aircraft now patrol the skies on a new mission: mosquito control. It’s living history with real work left to do.

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