India attempts to tow burning ship to prevent ecological disaster, ministry says
June 11 (Reuters) - The Indian Coast Guard on Wednesday was attempting to tow a cargo ship that caught fire off the coast of the southern state of Kerala to prevent serious risk to regional shipping routes and the marine environment, India's defense ministry said in a statement.
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Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why the Air India flight crashed: Expert Julian Bray has advised on the deadliest calamities. Now he examines the footage to reveal 'weird' inconsistencies and a horrifying possibility
All plane crashes horrify us at a visceral level – but yesterday's Air India disaster is in a league of its own. Flying is meant to be the safest form of travel, so when a near-total calamity such as this takes place, it speaks to our darkest fears. These days, of course, videos filmed on mobile phones often compound the terror – and the fate of Flight 171 has been revealed on brief, grainy footage, shared across social media, showing the plane's slow descent into a gigantic fireball. So what really happened? Can any lessons be learned – and not just by the airline industry, but by passengers such as you and me? Julian Bray is an aviation-security expert who has advised on some of the deadliest air disasters of the past 40 years. He is a former consultant to British Airways and Alitalia (he also revised several editions of the Italian carrier's official safety manual). He says: 'The Boeing Dreamliner is automated to the nth degree. It is a highly advanced aircraft, with multiple back-up systems, which is why I would look beyond mechanical failure.' Bray has analysed a number of competing theories... Did the pilots make a terrible error? On take-off, a pilot will typically lower the plane's flaps to generate more 'lift'. But footage of yesterday's crash appears to show that the Air India flight's flaps are still level with its wings. Without the flaps deployed, the plane could not have climbed fast enough, and some have suggested that the pilots might have forgotten to deploy them, leading to disaster. 'It is weird that the flaps seem stuck,' says Bray. 'They would have been tested on the runway as part of the pilots' pre-flight inspection. Not only do pilots walk around the plane to physically inspect its hatches are secure, but inside the cockpit they undergo a raft of procedures carefully designed to check everything.' So could the pilots have forgotten to deploy the flaps? No, insists Bray. 'Each stage of take-off is part of a meticulous procedure monitored by the captain and first officer.' Some have argued that the website FlightRadar24 appears to show the plane starting its run too far down the runway, where it would have had only 1,900 metres to take off instead of the required 2,800 metres – raising the possibility that the pilots started the take-off run too late. Again, Bray is not convinced. 'The pilot had 8,000 hours of experience and the co-pilot 1,000 hours. Air India has a pretty good safety record. Pilots get licensed to fly for only six months – after that they get put on a flight simulator and have to be recertified all over again.' That the aircraft still had its wheels down when it crashed is also unimportant, Bray believes. These are not usually raised until an airliner reaches 1,000 ft. The Air India plane never made it more than 400ft above the ground – 625ft above sea level. Could it have been mechanical failure? If something on the aircraft is not working, the captain can order the flight to be grounded. The fact that Flight 171 took off suggests to Bray that something sudden and unexpected must have happened immediately after take-off. The pilot's distress call of 'Mayday... no thrust, losing power, unable to lift,' confirms a catastrophic failure, says Bray. 'You wouldn't lose power, or thrust or the ability to change direction without a major problem further back in the aircraft,' he explains. Could the plane have hit a flock of birds? Bird strikes remain a serious risk for airliners. Last December, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 suffered a bird strike while coming into land at Muan International Airport in South Korea. After the pilots aborted the landing and attempted a second one, the plane's landing gear failed to deploy, causing the aircraft to overshoot the runway and collide with a concrete structure that housed landing lights. Of the 181 people on board, 179 were killed. Bird strike was also the cause of the forced landing of a jet in New York in 2009, the so-called 'Miracle on the Hudson', when pilot Chesley Sullenberger – later played by Tom Hanks in a film about the incident – earned praise for his cool handling of the situation. But, Bray points out, neither engine of the Air India flight appears to be smoking as the plane went down – if they had been, it would point to a bird strike. He adds that Ahmedabad airport has bird-scarer technology, which detects birds resting on the airport site and emits distress calls from loud speakers mounted on vehicles to scare them away, as well as using hawks to keep bird numbers down. So could a hawk have been sucked into the engine? Unlikely, says Bray: a bird strike affecting one engine wouldn't have been sufficient to cause this crash. 'The plane could have taken off with one engine,' he says. 'It would have been a bit bumpy, but the pilots should have been able to perform a 'go-around' and fly back to the airport.' Could it have been pilot suicide? This risk was brought home in March 2015 when a Germanwings Airbus A320 slammed into a hillside in the Alps, killing all 150 people on board. The co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, was later revealed to have suffered suicidal tendencies, while a heart-rending cockpit recording revealed the pilot hammering on the door and begging the co-pilot to open up. Suicide has also been suggested as an explanation for the mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, where an airliner bound from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014 disappeared from radar screens and, it is believed, turned around and crashed in the southern Indian Ocean. However, yesterday's disaster, notes Bray, occurred at a stage of the flight when both pilots would have been at the controls and it would have been hard for one to crash the plane without a struggle. Could it have been a bomb? In June 1985, one of Air India's Boeing 747s en route from Montreal to Heathrow went down in the Atlantic, blown apart by a bomb planted by Sikh extremists and killing all 329 on board. While Flight 171 clearly didn't explode mid-air, Bray is concerned by a puff of smoke that appears to come from the plane as it was taking off. One possibility he raises for further investigation is that a device might theoretically have been planted in a highly sensitive location, which did not destroy the fuselage yet succeeded in severing the wires and systems that allow pilots to control the wing flaps and rudder. A plane like the Dreamliner has multiple emergency systems, says Bray, but a bomb planted in the right place could cause the pilots' total loss of control. However, it must be stressed that there has been no suggestion of terrorism from officials either in India or the international investigators, including from Britain, who have rushed to the scene. Alternatively – and more innocently – he says, a consignment of batteries on board might have spontaneously caught fire – the dangers of so-called 'thermal runaway' in lithium batteries are well-known. Is it still safe to fly? This is a question that many will be asking as we approach the summer holidays. And, certainly, readers could be forgiven for wondering whether flying has recently become more dangerous. Already, 2025 has seen several deadly crashes in developed countries, including a commercial disaster in Washington DC that killed 67 people after an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter. Meanwhile, Boeing has suffered a raft of serious accidents recently, including a terrifying 'gaping hole' emerging in the side of the fuselage of a flight from Oregon to California in January 2024, with passengers using the on-board wifi to say goodbye to their loved ones. In 2018 and 2019, two Boeing 737 Max jets crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing a total of 346 passengers and crew. But despite these disasters, statistics show that flying is the safest it has ever been. Since 1970, the global fatality rate for air travel has fallen from 4.77 per million passenger journeys to just 0.05. When you take to the air, you now run just one hundredth of the risk of being killed as you did half a century ago. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, accidents on commercial flights – which can be as small as an aircraft being damaged and needing repairs – have fallen from 4.8 per million departures as recently as 2008 to just 1.9 per million in 2023. Statistics from the US National Transportation Safety Board show that between 2007 and 2023, flying was, mile for mile, by far the safest form of transport. Little comfort, of course, to the devastated families of the victims of Air India Flight 171.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ahmedabad plane crash kills 241, including 52 Britons, Air India confirms
Fifty-two Britons are confirmed to be among more than 240 people who died after a Gatwick Airport-bound plane crashed in a fireball in India. Air India confirmed 241 of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed on Thursday when the aircraft crashed into a medical college shortly after its take-off from Ahmedabad Airport. It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed. One British man survived the crash, and his relatives said he had 'no idea' how he escaped the aircraft. In a statement Air India said: 'The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. 'The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. 'The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. 'The survivor is a British national of Indian origin. 'Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only survivor of the crash. Speaking outside the family home in Leicester, his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said: 'We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. 'I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We're devastated, just devastated. 'He said 'I have no idea how I exited the plane'.' Speaking to Sky News, Nayan said: 'He video-called my dad as he crashed and said, 'Oh, the plane's crashed. I don't know where my brother is. I don't see any other passengers. I don't know how I'm alive, how I exited the plane'.' Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Mr Ramesh, said: 'He was disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger.' Video footage on social media and Indian news sites appears to show Mr Ramesh walking away from the site shortly after the crash. Three Britons who died in the crash were named by the Gloucester Muslim Community on Facebook as Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their four-year-old daughter Sara. British couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were also reportedly killed. A video on Instagram taken before take-off showed them laughing and joking as they told of a '10-hour flight back to England'. In an earlier post they told of their 'mind-blowing' trip to India and their intention to make a vlog about it. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has chaired a Cobra meeting of senior ministers about the crash, the PA news agency understands. Images taken after the incident showed debris from the plane scattered around the area, including parts of the fuselage, tail and landing gear embedded in the BJ Medical College building. Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, told the Associated Press that at least five medical students had been killed and about 50 were injured when the plane hit the college. Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, said it would provide 10 million rupees (around £86,000) to the families of each of those killed in the crash. The company said it would also cover the medical costs of the injured and provide support in the 'building up' of the medical college. UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said. The King said he was 'desperately shocked' and Buckingham Palace said he was being kept updated. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was in constant contact with Indian authorities. He said: 'I think it is important for all friends and family to contact the Foreign Office so we can roll out this as quickly as possible, but it is an ongoing investigation. It'll take some time. 'But you know, our hearts and our thoughts are absolutely with the friends and families of all those affected who are going to be absolutely devastated by this awful news.' It is the first crash involving a Boeing 787, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. Air India was acquired by Tata Group from the Indian government in January 2022 after racking up billions of pounds of losses. The airline's UK operations are based at Birmingham, Gatwick and Heathrow, with routes to a number of Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. It started operating flights to Gatwick in March 2023, with 12 weekly departures including five to Ahmedabad. Gatwick said there was no impact on wider flight operations at the airport, but a Thursday evening flight to Goa had been cancelled. The FCDO said any British nationals requiring consular assistance, or who have concerns about family or friends, should call 020 7008 5000.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Air India crash has highest number of British deaths in a flight disaster since 9/11 terror attacks
THE Air India crash has resulted in the highest number of British deaths in a flight disaster since the 9/11 terror attacks. A total of 52 British citizens were last night missing, feared dead, after rescue teams recovered more than 200 bodies at the crash site. 13 13 13 The toll of 67 Brits killed in the 9/11 attacks in 2001 on New York's World Trade Centre was higher. The last major UK air disaster saw 47 people killed in January 1989 when a Boeing 737 attempting an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport crashed on an embankment of the M1 near Kegworth, Leics. In August 1985, a British Airtours Boeing 737 bound for Corfu caught fire on the runway at Manchester Airport, killing 55 on board. But the deadliest air crash in Britain remains the 1972 Staines Air Disaster, when a BEA flight crashed on take-off from Heathrow. All 118 people on board were killed. And in 1988, the Pan Am Flight 103 Lockerbie terror attack killed 43 British citizens, including 11 on the ground in the Scottish border town. Last night, a team of British air crash investigators was being rushed to the crash scene in Ahmedabad, India, as theories swirled about possible causes of the disaster. They included pilot error, a bird or drone strike, or a freak change in wind direction causing a deadly double-engine stall. Concerns over possible pilot error by experienced Captain Sumeet Sabharwal centred on video of the Dreamliner's plunge. It appeared to show the twin-engine jet's wing flaps retracted — possibly too early — moments before the crash. Pilots and experts said it is vital that the flaps are set to the correct position at take-off to maximise lift. Air India passenger plane 'carrying up to 242 people heading for UK' crashes in fireball near Ahmedabad Airport Wheels and the undercarriage are also supposed to be lifted quickly once the plane is airborne, to reduce drag. But video footage of the crash jet shows its wheels were still down as it began descending. A disastrous strike from a flock of birds is also possible, but not obvious from video footage. Weather may also be a factor, with temperatures at the time of take-off close to 40C (104F). But reports suggested the air was relatively still and there were no signs of freak gusts, either from locals or on the video. The only other possible cause would be a technical fault in one of the most modern and reliable aircraft flying today. 13 13 13 A man who claimed he was a passenger on the doomed plane on a previous flight hours earlier posted a video appearing to show the air conditioning, TV screens and lights not working on board. Akash Vatsa posted on X that he noticed 'unusual things' during its flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. In the footage, he can be heard saying: 'The AC is not working at all. As usual, your TV screens are also not working, neither is the button to call the cabin crew. Nothing is working. Not even the light is working.' Mr Vatsa said he originally filmed the clip to make a complaint to Air India, but shared it online following the disaster to highlight issues with the doomed plane. Since its launch in 2011, the Boeing Dreamliner has had a near- faultless safety record and been involved in no fatal accidents. But teams of Boeing experts were being scrambled in the US last night in a bid to head off safety concerns — which have blighted the company's image in recent years. There are more than 1,100 787s in service, with most major international airlines prizing the model's fuel efficiency and low noise levels. Officials from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau were last night scouring the crash scene for the jet's black boxes, which should provide vital data. FOUR CRASH THEORIES WING FLAPS IN WRONG POSITION VIDEO evidence suggests the flaps were retracted and landing gear down, which would have meant minimal lift and increased drag. One theory is the landing gear was stuck and pilots retracted the flaps to reduce drag or the flaps were faulty, causing the plane to stall. A BIRD STRIKE CRIPPLED ENGINES A BIRD strike could have taken out both of the plane's General Electric engines. In 2021, a Dreamliner aborted take-off in Mexico after birds flew into one of its engines. A study in 2018 found Ahmedabad airport had 'a high potential of bird-aircraft collision hazards'. MISTAKE BY ONE OF THE PILOTS THE 787-8 is highly automated with pilots making key decisions, but human error cannot be ruled out. There was a mayday from the cockpit. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, a trained flight instructor, had 8,000 hours' experience and his co-pilot more than 1,000. PLANE DIDN'T USE ENOUGH RUNWAY PLANES get less lift on a hot day due to lower air density, so need to go faster. Flight AI171 took off in 40C heat in the early afternoon sunshine. It's suggested the amount of runway used was less than 2,000m when a full plane on a hot day usually needs a run of 2,500m. They record all actions taken by pilots and audio from the cockpit. Lt Col John R Davidson, a former US Air Force pilot and commercial aviation safety consultant, said: 'There are a number of possible scenarios — thrust or engine performance issues, excessive aircraft weight, poor flap configuration — or a more critical failure that affected the aircraft's ability to climb. 'Weather, wind shear or even bird strike can't be ruled out.' Capt Saurabh Bhatnagar, a former senior pilot, said footage showing the plane's descent 'looked like a case of multiple bird hits wherein both the engines have lost power'. He added: 'The take-off was perfect and just, I believe, short of taking the gear up, the aircraft started descending. 'This can happen only in the case the engine loses power or the aircraft stops developing lift.' India yesterday accepted an offer of assistance from the UK's specialist air accident investigation team and a unit was en route. Boeing boss Kelly Ortberg last night said: 'Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad.' 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 India's dark aviation history A LONDON-BOUND Air India flight crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday. The following are details of some other airline accidents in India in recent decades: AUGUST 2020 At least 18 people died and 16 were severely injured when an Air India Express Boeing 737 plane skidded off the runway in the southern city of Kozhikode during heavy rain, plunged into a valley and crashed nose-first into the ground. MAY 2010 An Air India Boeing 737 flight from Dubai overshot the runway at the airport in the southern city of Mangaluru and crashed into a ravine, killing 158 people on board. JULY 2000 More than 50 people were killed when a state-owned Alliance Air flight between Kolkata and the capital, New Delhi, crashed in a residential area of the eastern city of Patna.
