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Mint
11-08-2025
- Business
- Mint
‘If Ratan Tata was alive...': US lawyer slams Air India over ‘delayed payment' to Ahmedabad crash victims
A US lawyer, representing over 65 families affected by the tragic AI171 plane crash, slammed Air India for compensation delays for the families of the victims, claiming that it would not have happened if Ratan Tata, former Chairperson of the Tata Group, had been alive. Speaking to news agency ANI, the lead US attorney, Mike Andrews, highlighted the late Ratan Tata's legacy of compassion, suggesting his presence could have prevented such hurdles faced by the grieving families. 'Even in the US, we know who Ratan Tata was. We know a little bit in the US about his work ethic and his focus on being humble and taking care of his employees and so we know that if he were here today, we don't believe employees and victims and people who were on the aeroplane and on the ground would be subjected to a bureaucratic process in which they're delayed payment,' he said. He shared a distressing case involving a bedridden elderly mother whose only son, the only financial provider, died in the crash, noting that she depends on her son for her medical needs and that she is now left at the 'mercy of the world'. 'We met with one family, the elderly mother is bedridden, and she was depending upon her son to provide income to pay for her health care. He is now deceased. They have not received payment. What are they supposed to do?' he asked. 'They are now left at the mercy of the world in determining how she is supposed to go on when the person who was helping provide for her was killed through no fault of his own,' he added. Earlier on Friday, Andrew outlined potential legal avenues depending on the findings of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, emphasising that if the crash is linked to a defect in the aircraft, such as issues with the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system or the throttle control, a product liability claim could be filed in the US. Alternatively, if Air India is held responsible, claims would likely fall under the Montreal Convention. On July 26, Air India released ₹ 25 lakh in interim compensation payments to the families of 147 of the 229 passengers who lost their lives in the crash and 19 others who lost their lives on the ground. These payments were said to be adjusted against the final compensation to be determined later. The Tata Group has also established 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust' in memory of the victims, and pledged an ex gratia payment of ₹ 1 crore for each deceased individual. It also said it would support the rebuilding of the BJ Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which was damaged in the accident, and provide assistance to first responders, medical personnel, and other support workers affected by the tragedy. On June 12, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed shortly after it took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India later released the preliminary report into the tragic crash, outlining the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. It noted that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and rapid descent. The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history.
New Indian Express
11-08-2025
- New Indian Express
'No support from Indian govt': Families of Air India flight crash victims take Boeing Battle to US Courts
Dull echo of bureaucratic indifference Behind their growing mistrust looms a billion-dollar question: Did the aircraft fail them? Enter Mike Andrews, a heavyweight in aviation litigation, flown in from the US to evaluate the path forward. His track record speaks volumes he's taken on Ford, Volkswagen, and aircraft manufacturers alike. Now, he stands with over 65 victim families. 'We've been asked to understand what happened, why it happened, and what legal avenues exist,' Andrews says, bluntly. 'If the black box shows a defect say in the FADEC system or throttle control this could open the door to a product liability case against Boeing in the US.' And that's exactly what Trupti and others are counting on a legal terrain where one grieving family can stare down a corporate monolith. Andrews explains the stakes clearly: 'Since this aircraft was manufactured in the United States, it's vital the victims' families have a voice there. US law levels the field. One person can challenge a giant and win.' But here in India, the silence from the authorities is deafening. Not a single piece of raw data has been handed over. No clarity. No commitment. Only the dull echo of bureaucratic indifference. As the official probe drags on, the families' patience has run out. Their move to the US courts isn't just a legal shift it's a moral escalation. What began as a crash is fast becoming a confrontation between truth and power. And Trupti Soni stands at the center, transforming private loss into public resolve. Her brother's death, like dozens of others, demands more than sympathy. It demands answers. And she's not waiting for permission to get.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Air India 171 crash: US lawyer urges release of flight data, says blaming dead pilots is tactic to shield manufacturers; details here
Sixty-five families from India and the United Kingdom who lost relatives in the June 12 Air India flight AI171 crash have engaged the US-based law firm Beasley Allen to explore legal options. Aviation attorney Mike Andrews has called for the release of the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders to determine the cause and possible liability in one of India's deadliest air disasters in recent years. Site visits and meetings with families Mike Andrews, representing these families, visited the crash site in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area before meeting relatives in Vadodara. He said families want to know exactly what caused the crash and the options available to them. The majority of the families are from Gujarat and neighbouring Diu. From Vadodara, Andrews plans to travel to Surat and Diu to meet more families before visiting Ahmedabad again. He also met relatives from the UK and said they all expressed a strong desire for transparency and access to complete investigation data. Legal options and possible jurisdictions Andrews explained that if the investigation finds a technical defect—such as issues with the FADEC system, throttle control, or other aircraft systems—a product liability claim could be filed in a US federal court. If Boeing is found responsible, he said the US legal system offers individuals and families a fair chance to hold multinational corporations accountable. He also noted that if Air India is found liable, claims would fall under the Montreal Convention. However, he emphasised that legal steps depend entirely on full access to flight recorder data, which he said the Indian authorities and Air India currently possess. Concerns over delays and narrative Andrews criticised delays in releasing critical flight data, suggesting that withholding information hampers the families' ability to seek justice. He said that in many cases globally, pilots—especially those who did not survive—are blamed early in the investigation, which can divert attention from possible technical or manufacturing issues. He pointed to reports suggesting pilot error in this case, calling such narratives 'typical' of manufacturers seeking to deflect scrutiny from their products. Andrews urged that the complete data be shared with attorneys and experts so an accurate assessment can be made. AirIndia plane crashed in a residential area. The nearby buildings has caught fire. #planecrash Background on the crash and compensation On June 12, 2025, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating Air India flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, hitting a medical hostel complex. The crash killed 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard and 19 people on the ground, including four medical students. Interim compensation of ₹25 lakh has been paid to families of 147 passengers and 19 ground victims, to be adjusted against final payouts. The Tata Group has also announced an ex gratia of ₹1 crore per deceased victim through the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, alongside rebuilding efforts for affected infrastructure and aid to first responders. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
India Today
11-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
If Ratan Tata were here...: Air India crash victims' lawyer slams payout delay
Lead US attorney Mike Andrews, representing over 65 families affected by the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash, criticising delays in compensating victims' families, said such a 'bureaucratic process' would not have existed if former Tata Group Chairperson Ratan Tata were to news agency ANI on Sunday, Andrews said the late industrialist's legacy of humility and care for people could have ensured that grieving families did not face procedural in the US, we know who Ratan Tata was. We know a little bit about his work ethic and his focus on being humble and taking care of his employees. We know that if he were here today, we don't believe employees and victims and people who were on the aeroplane and on the ground would be subjected to a bureaucratic process in which they're delayed payment,' he said. Citing a distressing example, Andrews spoke of a bedridden elderly mother whose only son—the family's sole breadwinner—died in the crash. 'She was depending upon her son to pay for her health care. He is now deceased. They have not received payment. What are they supposed to do? They are now left at the mercy of the world,' he Friday, Andrews had outlined possible legal actions depending on the findings of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. If the crash is linked to a technical defect, such as with the FADEC system or throttle control, a product liability claim could be filed in the US. If Air India is found liable, claims would likely fall under the Montreal July 26, Air India disbursed interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to families of 147 of the 229 passengers who died, as well as 19 people killed on the ground. These payments will be adjusted against final compensation. The Tata Group has also set up the 'AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', which has pledged an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore per deceased victim, along with funding for rebuilding damaged BJ Medical College Hostel infrastructure and aiding first responders and other support staff affected by the Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating AI171 crashed on June 12 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary report said both engines shut down unexpectedly during initial climb, leading to a rapid the crash one of India's deadliest in recent history, Andrews said the ongoing investigation would examine design, manufacturing, and maintenance issues, as well as whether the aircraft's computer systems triggered any erroneous inputs. 'The challenges initially are putting the puzzle together, finding out what happened,' he said.- EndsWith ANI inputsTune InMust Watch
NDTV
11-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
'If Ratan Tata Was Here...': US Lawyer On Delay In Air India Crash Aid
The lead US attorney, Mike Andrews, representing over 65 families affected by the tragic AI171 plane crash, slammed the ongoing compensation delays for the victims' families, noting that such "bureaucratic process" would not have existed if former Chairperson of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata, had been alive. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Andrews highlighted the late Ratan Tata's legacy of compassion, suggesting his presence could have prevented such hurdles faced by the grieving families. "Even in the US, we know who Ratan Tata was. We know a little bit in the US about his work ethic and his focus on being humble and taking care of his employees and so we know that if he were here today, we don't believe employees and victims and people who were on the aeroplane and on the ground would be subjected to a bureaucratic process in which they're delayed payment," he stated. He pointed towards a distressing case involving a bedridden elderly mother whose only son, the only financial provider, died in the crash, noting that she depends on her son for her medical needs and that she is now left at the "mercy of the world." "We met with one family, the elderly mother is bedridden, and she was depending upon her son to provide income to pay for her health care. He is now deceased. They have not received payment. What are they supposed to do? They are now left at the mercy of the world in determining how she is supposed to go on when the person who was helping provide for her was killed through no fault of his own," he added. Earlier on Friday, Andrew outlined potential legal avenues depending on the findings of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, emphasising that if the crash is linked to a defect in the aircraft, such as issues with the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system or the throttle control, a product liability claim could be filed in the US. Alternatively, if Air India is held responsible, claims would likely fall under the Montreal Convention. On July 26, Air India released Rs 25 lakh in interim compensation payments to the families of 147 of the 229 passengers who lost their lives in the crash and 19 others who lost their lives on the ground. These payments will be adjusted against the final compensation to be determined later. The Tata Group has also established 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust' in memory of the victims. The Trust has pledged an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for each deceased individual and also supports the rebuilding of the BJ Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which was damaged in the accident, and provides assistance to first responders, medical personnel, and other support workers affected by the tragedy. On June 12, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed shortly after it took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India later released the preliminary report into the tragic crash, outlining the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. It noted that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and rapid descent. The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
