‘Possible sabotage' under investigation in Air India plane crash: Report
As the investigation into the Air India plane crash continues, minister of state (MoS) for civil aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has stated that 'possible sabotage' is one of the angles being examined. The civil aviation minister's remarks come after the AAIB started its probe and analysis into the black box data of Air India flight 171. Doctors on Saturday said around 270 bodies have been brought to the hospital from the air crash site so far. (PTI)
Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 out of 242 people onboard. The incident also marked the first fatal accident of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India's top agency for aviation crash investigations, is leading the probe. Officials had earlier said that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—also known as black boxes—were recovered from the site and sent to Delhi for analysis.
'The AAIB has begun a full investigation into it... It is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage. The CCTV footage are being reviewed and all angles are being assessed... several agencies are working on it,' NDTV quoted Murlidhar Mohol as saying at an event in Pune.
Also Read | HT explains: How compensation is determined for air crash victims
The AAIB has formed a multidisciplinary investigation team on June 13. The team includes Indian and foreign experts—technical personnel, a specialist in aviation medicine, and an air traffic control officer—as per international rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The government said analysis of the black box data is ongoing. Investigators are trying to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash and identify what may have caused it.
Also Read | What could have led to fatal Air India Ahmedabad crash: Possible scenarios as per experts What are other possible angles in Air India crash?
Investigators are examining multiple possibilities behind the Air India Flight 171 crash, including a sudden power loss or engine failure, system malfunction, and human error. Experts say only a thorough analysis of black box data will confirm what caused the June 12 crash.
'A B787 aircraft has extremely powerful engines. It is hard to guess what went wrong. It looks like the pilot could not get adequate thrust and realised the issue immediately after take-off,' said aviation safety expert Amit Singh. Officials confirmed that a Mayday call was made by the pilots shortly after takeoff, pointing to an in-flight emergency.
Also Read | Air India crash: Black box flown to Delhi, decoding process underway
According to unnamed sources cited in a Reuters report, the probe is also looking at engine thrust, flap settings, and the unusual case of the landing gear staying extended. Maintenance records and crew actions are under review, while a bird-hit has been ruled out.
The investigation team is also assessing airport surveillance footage, radio communication, and environmental conditions at the time of takeoff. Black box decoding underway
According to the government, the process of data extraction from the black boxes was started on June 24 with a team of Indian and US experts, including members from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB.
'The Crash Protection Module (CPM) from the front black box was safely retrieved, and on 25 June 2025, the memory module was successfully accessed and its data downloaded at the AAIB lab,' the civil aviation ministry said in a recent statement. Air India crash: Final death toll stands at 260, all victims identified
The final death toll in the Air India Flight 171 crash has been confirmed at 260, Gujarat officials said on Saturday—lower than initial estimates of 270. The toll includes 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.
'The plane crash death toll stands at 260... All bodies have been recovered and identified, with the mortal remains of all of them handed over to their families,' Dhananjay Dwivedi, additional chief secretary of health and family welfare told HT.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Video: Young men perform skating stunts by holding onto moving auto-rickshaw
49:49 The Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tabar carried out a swift mid-sea rescue in the Gulf of Oman after responding to an SOS from a ship on fire. Fourteen Indian-origin crew members were safely evacuated from the blazing vessel. The Navy confirmed the successful operation via a tweet, emphasizing its rapid response in international waters.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Air India Plane Crash: Bodies of 260 victims handed over to family members, says Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Rakesh Joshi
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 30 (ANI): The bodies of 260 people who died in the Air India-171 plane crash have been handed over to their family members, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Rakesh Joshi said on Monday. 254 victims of the crash were identified through DNA matching, while six were identified through facial recognition. Rakesh Joshi told ANI, 'I can say that a total of 254 DNA matches were done, all identified and handed over. 6 were identified through facial recognition, and they were also handed over. So, a total of 260 bodies were identified and handed over to their family members.' He added that out of the 260 bodies handed over, 241 were passengers while 19 were non-passengers. '241 were passengers and 19 were non-passengers. Out of these 241 passengers, 181 were Indians, 52 were Britishers, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian,' Medical Superintendent Joshi said. Rakesh Joshi further said that it was a challenging task, but the health department and police worked together to complete it within 13 days. 'It was a very difficult task and I won't say I managed it. It was a great teamwork. We are supported and guided by our seniors and administrators. Not only the health department but also the police department, the corporation, everybody worked. All the departments collectively worked for this challenging situation or disaster. Ultimately, everything was done within 13 days,' he said. On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College, Gujarat's Ahmedabad, shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the crash and working intensively on analysing data retrieved from the black boxes of Air India Flight AI-171, in their lab in New Delhi. (ANI)
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
From house to home: The emotional shift when moving into a senior living community
For generations, Indian families have grown up under one roof: grandparent, parents, children, sometimes even extended cousins. The idea of growing old in the familiar comfort of one's own house, surrounded by family, has been deeply woven into our cultural fabric. So, the thought of moving into a senior living community often feels alien, even taboo. It's seen as something that's 'not for us,' or something only people in the West consider. But times are changing. India today is a different country than it was even two decades ago. Families are more nuclear, children move to different cities or even countries for work, and elderly parents are often left managing large homes, with reduced energy, fewer helping hands, and an increasing sense of isolation. Yet, the emotional leap from a house full of memories to a senior living community still feels massive for many. The truth is it's not just a shift of location. It's a shift in mindset, identity, and most importantly, heart. Why is it hard? In Indian society, moving into a senior living community is often misunderstood. It's either seen as giving up or being 'sent away.' There's a quiet fear of losing dignity, freedom, or the warmth of family life. But this fear often stems from not knowing what today's senior living communities truly offer. Modern senior living spaces are not old-age homes. They are not institutions. They are vibrant, self-sufficient communities thoughtfully designed to offer ease, comfort, safety, and above all, belonging. Learning from the West In countries like the US and across Europe, senior living communities are an accepted and often welcomed stage of life. Seniors look forward to it. It's a phase of independence, filled with activities, friendships, shared meals, and a sense of freedom without the burdens of home maintenance or the fear of being alone. These communities are equipped with emergency medical care, wellness programs, social events, hobby clubs, and even travel arrangements. It's not about letting go of life it's about making more space for it. Why India needs this now As urban life gets busier and families grow apart geographically, the emotional needs of seniors often go unmet. They may have a big house, but who are they talking to all day? Who do they share a meal with? Who notices if they're unwell, or even just lonely? A senior living community fills that gap in a dignified, respectful way. It offers privacy when needed, care when required, and companionship that's always within reach. Think about it isn't a home where you're cared for, seen, and understood? The emotional shift: from house to home For many seniors who've made the move, the transformation is emotional and empowering. Take Mrs. Latha Rao, for example. A retired teacher from Chennai, she lived alone for eight years after her husband passed away and her children moved abroad. She resisted the idea of a senior community for years. But once she moved in, her only regret? That she didn't do it sooner. 'I thought I would feel lonely,' she says. 'Instead, I feel like I've come back to college. Morning yoga, afternoon music sessions, new friends I feel alive again.' This isn't a one-off story. Many seniors report better physical health, reduced stress, improved mental wellbeing, and even a new sense of purpose after moving into a community designed just for them. Convenience with dignity Modern senior living communities in India today are designed to offer a seamless, dignified lifestyle. From 24/7 medical support and nutritious meals, to housekeeping, recreational facilities, and safety everything is taken care of. There's no need to depend on external help, chase down domestic staff, or worry about who will assist in case of a fall or emergency. Seniors can spend their time doing what they love gardening, reading, chatting over chai, celebrating festivals, or simply enjoying the peace that comes from knowing they are in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Changing the narrative For India to truly embrace the concept of senior living, we need to shift our mindset from fear to freedom, from stigma to support, from 'what will people say' to 'what makes us happy.' Choosing to move into a senior community isn't about giving up on family or being left behind. It's about choosing comfort, connection, and care in your golden years. It's about reimagining what home means not just as a physical space, but an emotional one. In the end, a house is built with bricks. A home is built with people, warmth, care, and a sense of belonging. Senior living communities aren't the end of the road. They're the beginning of a new chapter one where seniors can finally live for themselves, with the dignity, freedom, and joy they've more than earned. (Mr. Rajagopal G, CEO of Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific)
