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Indian Express
20-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Air India crash probe: From black box retrieval to AAIB's preliminary report — a timeline of key events
Exactly a month after the deadly aviation disaster, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report of the investigation into the June 12 Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport which killed 260 people. The probe led by the autonomous body is under the spotlight, more so since the release of its 15-page initial report on July 12, post midnight. The AAIB team probing the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 crash is a multidisciplinary team including its AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar, an aviation medicine specialist, an air traffic control officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). While the initial report came under the scanner for being worded beyond the mandate and giving additional details, but selectively, chief Yugandhar said: 'The purpose of the AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to provide information about 'WHAT' happened… At this stage, it is too early to reach to any definite conclusions. The investigation…is still not complete. The Final Investigation Report will come out with root causes and recommendations,' The full report is expected in about a year's time. As the AAIB-led investigation continues to be watched globally, here's a timeline of key events in the probe so far: On June 12 (Thursday), the Boeing plane—operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick—crashed moments after take-off, killing 260 people, including 241 of the 242 on board and 19 on the ground. According to the 15-page report, the flight lasted 'around 30 seconds' between lift-off and crash. This was the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in at least four decades, and the first fatal crash of 787 Dreamliner, Boeing's latest generation wide-body aircraft. -Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launches an investigation into the Air India crash. -The aft Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR) or the rear black box from the tail section of the plane is found from the rooftop of the BJ Medical College hostel mess building. It had suffered extensive internal thermal damage, as per officials. Two days after the crash, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) held a briefing where no questions were taken. Up until the release of the official preliminary report, there were just a few press releases on the status of the probe The next day, a team led by a NTSB representative including those from Boeing, GE and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived in Ahmedabad and participated in the on-site investigation. A team of officials from AAIB's team from the UK also arrived and visited the site with Yugandhar, the initial report specifies. The second black box unit (the forward EAFR) is also recovered from debris at the crash site near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It was burnt and covered in soot. Two black boxes from General Electric Co (GE.N), one in the aircraft's front and another at the rear, are installed on Boeing's 787 jets, as per news agency Reuters. Both contain a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder with the same sets of data. Both EAFRs are transported from Ahmedabad to the AAIB's facility in New Delhi. The data from damaged flight recorders was downloaded by the AAIB after sourcing 'Golden Chassis' and relevant download cables from the DGCA and other Accident Investigation Authorities, the report states. Here, the required 'Golden Chassis' (Identical EAFR unit) and Download cables were sourced from the US via the NTSB on June 23. The downloaded flight data contained approximately 49 hours of flight data and 6 flights, including the event flight. The findings of the preliminary investigation report released by the AAIB provide the most detailed account of the incident on June 12. It revealed that the aircraft's engine fuel control switches transitioned from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other moments after lift-off. To be sure, the report doesn't mention that the fuel control switches — which allow and cut fuel flow to the plane's engines — moved physically, and uses the term 'transitioned' to describe the change of mode from RUN to CUTOFF. It also does not state these were moved by either of the pilots. From the cockpit voice recorder data, the preliminary probe report notes that one of the pilots asked the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded saying he did not. The pilot flying was co-pilot Clive Kunder, while pilot-in-command Sumeet Sabharwal was pilot monitoring for this flight. The report also said there were no recommended actions to Boeing or GE at this stage, indicating that a fault in the aircraft or engines was unlikely. In an appeal issued on Thursday, AAIB Director General Yugandhar urged the public and the media to 'refrain from spreading premature narratives' around the ongoing investigation. He also said that sections of the international media are 'repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting', and termed it 'irresponsible' as the investigation is still on. Meanwhile on this day, The Indian Express reported that the investigators were examining the history of technical snags and the possibility of system malfunction that can impact the FADEC's (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) Engine Control Unit (the brain of the aircraft) to trigger 'uncommanded' actions. Urging everyone to avoid speculation, the head of the US probe agency Jennifer Homendy termed recent media reports surrounding the probable causes of the crash as 'premature and speculative'. This comes close on the heels of reports by a few US-based publications suggesting that deliberate action by one of the pilots was most likely the cause of the crash.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
AAIB officials appear before House panel, say Air India crash report soon
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is learnt to have told a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Wednesday that it will make public its preliminary report on the June 12 Ahmedabad plane crash in a couple of days. According to sources, the report is expected to provide the sequence of events before the accident that killed 260 people, a detailed description of the crash and the steps so far in the investigation, besides any notable findings that may have come to light. The House panel, headed by JDU RS MP Sanjay Jha, held its scheduled meeting Wednesday with the agenda 'to hear the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation on the 'overall review of safety in the civil aviation sector'. As many as 97 people are learnt to have deposed before the panel, among them top Ministry officials, including the secretary, AAIB officials, CEOs of the airlines operating in India, representatives of airport operators such as Adani and GMR and representatives of civil helicopter operators. Members of the panel cutting across party lines are learnt to have told the Ministry officials there is a pervasive sense of fear among fliers about aviation safety since the crash last month and urged the Ministry to come out with a report on how the incident happened. AAIB officials are learnt to have told the panel that the black box and voice recorder of the aircraft that crashed were intact and data was being investigated. Officials are learnt to have said that help of foreign players, including aircraft manufacturer Boeing, was also sought to carry out detailed and thorough investigations. During the meeting, the House panel is also learnt to have flagged an overloaded Air Traffic Control (ATC) system among other issues such as lacunae in civil helicopter operations. It is learnt that the committee discussed there was a paucity of staff at the ATC and that while in other countries ATC monitors the movement of 7 to 8 planes through one radar, in India there were as many as 30 planes on one radar. The panel is also learnt to have discussed staff shortage that ATC in India is facing apart from the vacancies in the DGCA. Aircraft accident investigations can be extremely complex and time consuming processes, taking months and in some cases even years to conclude. A more detailed identification and analysis of the most probable causes of the Ahmedabad crash is expected over the coming months. The AAIB-led investigation into the Ahmedabad crash is being assisted by representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and engine manufacturer GE. An ICAO expert has also been given observer status in the investigation. —With inputs from Asad Rehman Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt's high-level panel on Air India plane crash holds first meeting; possible causes, necessary SOPs, previous accidents' records discussed
The government's high-level multi-disciplinary committee on Thursday's crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad held its first meeting on Monday and discussed various possible causes and theories pertaining to the deadly aviation accident, the worst for an Indian airline in four decades. Deliberations were also focussed on identifying areas of improvement and creating a roadmap to formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent such disasters. Records pertaining to earlier aviation disasters in India, like the 2010 Mangaluru crash and 2020 Kozhikode accident of Air India Express aircraft, and how they were handled by various stakeholders were also shared in the meeting that lasted around two hours, it is learnt. The committee is headed by the Home Secretary Govind Mohan and includes senior officials from the civil aviation ministry, home ministry, Gujarat government, the Indian Air Force, and various other departments and agencies including the Intelligence Bureau, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation, among others. It is expected to submit its report within three months. The technical investigation into the crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). On being asked why a government committee has been constituted when the AAIB-led probe is already on, Naidu had said on Saturday that the AAIB investigation is technical and specific to the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, while the government's high-level committee will take a more holistic approach and look at further strengthening of the aviation safety ecosystem. 'The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future. The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future,' the civil aviation ministry had said late Friday while notifying the constitution of the high-level committee. The objective and scope of the government's high-level committee also includes ascertaining the root cause of the crash, including assessment of possible contributory factors like mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and regulatory compliance-related issues, among others. It is also tasked with assessing the emergency response of various stakeholders—both Central and State governments—including rescue operations, and the coordination between them. The committee will formulate comprehensive SOPs and suggest the roles of various Central and State government organisations to deal with post-crash incident handling and management. It will also suggest policy changes, operational improvements, and training enhancements required to prevent such accidents in future, and handle the situation in the event of a crash. Thursday's crash claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 aircrfat—bearing registration VT-ANB. Lives were also lost on the ground as the plane crashed into a medical college hostel mess close to the Ahmedabad airport. As for the technical probe into the accident, the AAIB is being assisted in the probe by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) given that the aircraft was manufactured by an American company—Boeing—and was made in the US. A UK AAIB team is also going to help with the investigation, and so are Boeing and other major component manufacturers like GE (engine manufacturer). According to aircraft accident investigation protocol, the probe report should be finalised within a year. The world has its eyes set on the probe as scores of Boeing 787 aircraft are operating all over the globe, and this was the first-ever crash involving the 787. According to flight tracking data, the signal from the aircraft was lost at an altitude of just 625 feet, moments after take-off. It then descended with a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute and crashed. According to aviation safety regulator DGCA, the pilots gave a Mayday call—signalling severe distress—to the Ahmedabad airport air traffic control (ATC) upon take-off, after which it crashed outside the airport perimeter. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Air India crash: High-level committee to meet Monday, submit report in 3 months; AAIB-led technical probe 'going smoothly', says Aviation Ministry
The government's high-level multi-disciplinary committee for examining the causes behind the crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday is set to have its first meeting on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said Saturday. Aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha that the technical investigation into the crash, being led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), is already on and 'going smoothly'. On being asked why a government committee has been constituted when the AAIB-led probe is already on, Naidu said that the AAIB investigation is technical and specific to the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, while the government's high-level committee will take a more holistic approach and look at further strengthening of the aviation safety ecosystem. The committee is headed by the Home Secretary and includes senior officials from the civil aviation ministry, home ministry, Gujarat government, the Indian Air Force, and various other departments and agencies including the Intelligence Bureau, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation, among others. It is expected to submit its report within three months. 'The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future. The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future,' the civil aviation ministry said late Friday. Meanwhile, the AAIB investigation is progressing well, Naidu said. The ill-fated aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR) was found on Friday evening and is expected to provide in-depth insights into what happened in the moments leading to the crash, the deadliest aviation disaster involving an Indian aircraft in decades. FDR is one of the so-called black boxes placed on board and aircraft, and records flight data on scores of parameters. The aircraft's other black box–cockpit voice recorder (CVR)–is yet to be found. The AAIB has taken over the crash site and evidence collection is on. Naidu said that the AAIB probe will comprehensively analyse all angles and factors that could have possibly been behind the crash. The AAIB is being assisted in the probe by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) given that the aircraft was manufactured by an American company—Boeing—and was made in the US. A UK AAIB team is also going to help with the investigation, and so are Boeing and other major component manufacturers like GE (engine manufacturer). According to aircraft accident investigation protocol, the probe report should be finalised within a year. The world has its eyes set on the probe as scores of Boeing 787 aircraft are operating all over the globe, and this was the first-ever crash involving the 787. Thursday's crash claimed the lives of 241 of 242 people on board the plane that was operating Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. Lives were also lost on the ground as the plane crashed into a medical college hostel close to the Ahmedabad airport. According to flight tracking data, the signal from the aircraft was lost at an altitude of just 625 feet, moments after take-off. It then descended with a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute and crashed. According to aviation safety regulator DGCA, the pilots gave a Mayday call—signaling severe distress—to the Ahmedabad airport air traffic control (ATC) upon take-off, after which it crashed outside the airport perimeter. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
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First Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Ahmedabad plane mishap: Govt begins inquiry into Air India crash; UK to join probe
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has said that the probe will be led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and conducted in accordance with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) read more Debris of an Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Pic/PTI India has launched an official investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 passengers and crew on board the flight on Thursday afternoon. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the probe will be led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and conducted in accordance with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Naidu said in a statement, 'Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in line with international protocols set by ICAO." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One person survived the Ahmedabad plane crash. The UK-bound flight had 230 passengers and 12 crew as the Air India 787 Dreamliner crashed at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after taking off. The plane was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. Videos showed the aircraft hit a building, a medical college, and burst into a fireball. Govt to form expert panel In addition to the AAIB-led investigation, the government is establishing a high-level committee comprising experts from various fields. This multidisciplinary panel will thoroughly examine the circumstances of the crash and propose measures to strengthen aviation safety. Naidu said, 'The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future.' UK to send probe team UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has announced that his government will send an investigation team to India to assist with the inquiry and offer support to families of British nationals affected by the fatal crash. Among the victims of the plane crash were 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,' Starmer said on X.
