Indian authorities decide to accord observer status to ICAO expert in AI plane crash probe: Source
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Indian authorities have decided to accord observer status to UN body ICAO's expert in the ongoing probe into the fatal Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, a top official source said on Friday.
In a not-so-common move, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sought observer status for its expert in the investigation.
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en-route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 people who were onboard the plane. One passenger survived.
The probe into the crash is in progress.
On Friday, the official source told PTI that after considering the request, it has been decided to accord the observer status to ICAO expert in the investigation.
The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner, the official source emphasised.
Further details could not be immediately ascertained.
An aircraft accident investigation is carried out as per Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.
The International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) contained in the nineteen Technical Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also called Chicago Convention) are applied universally and produce a high degree of technical uniformity which has enabled international civil aviation to develop in a safe, orderly and efficient manner, as per ICAO website.
SARPS have been developed by ICAO, which was established in 1944.
On Thursday, the civil aviation ministry said data is being extracted from black boxes, and analysis of cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the crashed aircraft is underway.
AAIB promptly initiated an investigation and constituted a multi-disciplinary team headed by the AAIB chief on June 13 in line with prescribed norms. The team includes an aviation medicine specialist, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ministry had said in a statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
UK engineers arriving in Kerala to repair stranded F-35B jet
NEW DELHI: Aviation engineers from the UK are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to repair an F-35B Lightning jet of Britain's Royal Navy as the aircraft continued to be stranded after making an emergency landing 12 days ago. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport after developing an engineering issue, a British High Commission spokesperson said on Friday. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The F-35B is the only fifth generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The official said the aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. "Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram international airport for their continued support." The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of UK-based engineering teams was needed. Days after the aircraft's emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the "rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month. Known simply as the 'Lightning' in British service, the F-35 model is the short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the fighter jet that is designed to operate from short-field bases and air-capable ships.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
UK's F35-B at Thiruvananthapuram Airport moved to MRO facility
New Delhi: The fifth generation F35-B fighter that has been stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport after diverting from a British aircraft carrier due to a snag, has now been moved to a repair facility. A British high commission spokesperson said the UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. "The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to the scheduled maintenance of other aircraft," the spokesperson said. The advanced jet had to divert to the Indian airport after developing a serious in-flight emergency . While the nature of the technical fault has not been disclosed, it appears to be of a complex nature given that the jet has been stranded for nearly two weeks. "The aircraft will return to active service once repairs and safety checks have been completed. Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed," the spokesperson said.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
UK F-35B awaits repairs at Thiruvananthapuram airport after engineering issue, says British High Commission
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 27 (ANI): A UK F-35B aircraft is currently awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after experiencing an engineering issue, a British High Commission spokesperson confirmed. 'A UK F-35B aircraft is awaiting repairs at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after developing an engineering issue. The UK has accepted an offer to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport. The aircraft will be moved to the hangar once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment, thereby ensuring there is minimal disruption to scheduled maintenance of other aircraft,' the spokesperson said. The aircraft is expected to return to active service after the necessary repairs and safety checks are completed. In a statement, the British High Commission added, 'Ground teams continue to work closely with Indian authorities to ensure safety and security precautions are observed. We thank the Indian authorities and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for their continued support.' British authorities on Thursday expressed gratitude to India following the emergency landing of the British F-35B fighter jet at Thiruvananthapuram airport nearly a fortnight ago. 'We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support,' the spokesperson said. The UK aircraft was unable to return to UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. While on the ground, the aircraft developed an engineering issue that precluded its return to the Carrier. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the situation and determined that assistance from a UK-based engineering team was required. According to the UK High Commission, the aircraft will be relocated to a space in the maintenance repair and overhaul facility hangar once the necessary equipment and personnel arrive. Throughout this diversion incident, the UK has worked in close coordination with Indian authorities. 'Throughout this diversion incident, we have worked closely with all Indian authorities, including the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and are extremely grateful for their support,' the High Commission said. The statement further highlighted the continued security and organisational support provided by India, underlining the growing cooperation and strong relationship between the armed forces of both nations. Earlier, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that a British Royal Navy F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on the night of June 14. In a post on X, the IAF stated, 'A Royal Navy F-35B fighter recovered off an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the night of 14 June 25. Operating from UK Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, it was undertaking routine flying outside Indian ADIZ with Thiruvananthapuram earmarked as the emergency recovery airfield.' 'On having declared a diversion off an emergency, the F-35B was detected and identified by the IAF's IACCS network and cleared for the recovery. IAF is providing all necessary support for the rectification and subsequent return of the aircraft,' the IAF added. (ANI)
