'Same As...': What UK Expert Said After Inspecting Air India Crash Site
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The comment came as teams from the United Kingdom and the United States joined Indian authorities in investigating the crash of Air India
A UK aviation expert visiting the Air India crash site in Ahmedabad on Sunday said there were no hidden surprises at the scene, noting, 'We saw what you guys saw. It's just the same as you can see from here."
The comment came as teams from the United Kingdom and the United States joined Indian authorities in investigating the crash of Air India flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived.
A formal investigation into the plane crash, which also claimed the lives of over 50 UK nationals, has been launched. Given the presence of British citizens on board, the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is officially assisting the probe and has been granted 'expert status" under international aviation protocols. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also involved, as the aircraft was American-made.
Earlier today, the crash site was inspected by UK experts and senior Air India officials. The aircraft crashed just beyond the airport perimeter, hitting a building near the BJ Medical College campus and causing a large explosion and fire.
Separately, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is examining the technical causes behind the crash. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu clarified on Saturday that while the AAIB would handle the technical side of the inquiry, the high-level committee would take a broader view to improve safety regulations.
The aircraft's black box was recovered from the crash site on Friday evening and is expected to provide crucial data to aid the investigation.
(With inputs from PTI)
First Published:
June 15, 2025, 20:41 IST
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