Latest news with #FlightAI-171
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Air India AI171 plane crash victims' families to file suit in US? Lawyer Mike Andrews says ‘because the plane…'
Air India plane crash: US based law firm Beasley Allen's lead lawyer Mike Andrews said that since the aircraft involved in the Ahmedabad plane crash, a Boeing Dreamliner, was manufactured in the United States, the 'families, the victims, have a voice in those claims in the US.' 'Potential legal options will depend on what the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder reveal in terms of what happened here,' said Andrews, reported ANI. Families of 65 victims of the deadly Air India Flight AI-171's deadly crash, which killed a total of 241 people on bord, have hired Beasley Allen, the same team that fought for families in the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies, to take on Boeing and Air India in court, reported Hindustan Times. According to Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)'s report on the Air India plane crash, voice recordings from the cockpit revealed confusion in fuel cutoff, with a MAYDAY distress call issued moments before the crash. Mike Andrews said that suppose 'flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder indicate that there is a defect with the aircraft, for example FADEC system or the throttle control malfunctioning,' then the options are to bring a defective product or a product liability claim Beasley Allen rose to prominence through its work on the Boeing 737 MAX cases, which stemmed from two deadly crashes—Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in Ethiopia—that claimed 346 lives between 2018 and 2019. In 2021, Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution settlement, which included a $243.6 million criminal fine, $1.77 billion in payments to airlines, and $500 million for victims' families, as per records by US Department of Justice. Investigations revealed that Boeing's retrofitting of the 737 design to compete with Airbus led to significant design flaws, including the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
AI-171 victim families hire firm that sued Boeing for 737 lapses
Families of 65 victims from Air India Flight AI-171's deadly crash have hired Beasley Allen, a prominent US aviation law firm that represented families in the Boeing 737 MAX disasters, to pursue legal action against Boeing and Air India. The firm is exploring product liability claims against Boeing in US federal courts. (REUTERS) The firm, led by aviation attorney D. Michael Andrews, is exploring product liability claims against Boeing in US federal courts and Montreal Convention claims against Air India in UK courts, though no lawsuits have been filed yet. 'Our firm presently represents families of 65 victims. We are determined to follow the data to uncover how and why this tragedy occurred,' Andrews said. 'The families deserve answers and are pleading for transparency.' The Boeing 737 MAX cases that established Beasley Allen's reputation involved two crashes that killed 346 people between 2018 and 2019 - Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in Ethiopia. Boeing ultimately paid $2.5 billion under a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, including a $243.6 million criminal penalty, $1.77 billion to airlines, and $500 million for crash victim families. Boeing has since settled more than 90% of the claims and paid billions more in individual compensation to families, with the company acknowledging liability for the crashes caused by the faulty Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), US Department of Justice records showed. The causes for the crash of flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, from Ahmedabad on June 12, is not yet clear. The plane crashed shortly after take-off, killing all 241 people aboard and 19 on the ground. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the sole survivor. The victims included 181 Indian nationals and 52 UK citizens. Andrews disputed findings in the interim report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB), which suggests potential pilot action. The law firm executive argued that a Flight Data Recorder only detects changes in electrical current, not manual switch movements. This, he said, raises the possibility that a computer-triggered fault, rather than human error, that caused both engine fuel control switches to send a CUTOFF signal. He urged Indian authorities to release all data, including cockpit voice recorder transcripts, to enable global experts to assess the cause comprehensively, warning that selective information could lead to misinterpretation. 'I suspect a technical or design fault is being concealed, with blame shifted to the pilots,' said Trupti Soni, who lost her brother and two sisters-in-law in the crash and hired the firm to seek accountability. The preliminary report also paraphrased conversation from the cockpit voice recorder capturing one pilot questioning the other on why the fuel was cut-off, with the other denying responsibility. The report did not identify which of the pilots said what. Andrews highlighted recent Boeing 787 incidents to suggest systemic problems: a United Airlines flight from Dulles to Munich declared a Mayday and returned due to engine failure, whilst a LATAM flight experienced Ram Air Turbine deployment, typically triggered by significant power or hydraulic failure. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India leads the inquiry with participation from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Boeing representatives. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed, wife and two children—all British nationals—died in the crash, said he plans to initiate legal action within two months, hoping for court judgements within two years. Under the legal agreement, families pay no fees unless financial recovery is secured. If clients terminate representation, Beasley Allen retains a lien of either 30% of the most recent settlement offer or an amount equal to accrued time and expenses, whichever is greater. The firm may withdraw if it deems the case cannot proceed, and no specific outcomes are guaranteed. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, offered ex gratia compensation of ₹1 crore for families of deceased passengers and ₹25 lakh for ground victims. The company established the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust with ₹500 crore, funded equally by Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, to support affected families' long-term needs, particularly children who lost parents, by providing scholarships for education, medical coverage and financial assistance to ensure stability for dependents. Boeing and Air India representatives did not respond to enquiries.
The Print
19-07-2025
- The Print
Indian pilots' body sends legal notices to WSJ, Reuters for ‘misleading' reports on Air India crash probe
Criticising the WSJ and Reuters, Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) President, Captain CS Randhawa said that their news reports were 'misleading' and factually incorrect. The controversy has come close on the heels of reports by a few US-based publications alleging that action by one of the pilots was most likely the cause of the crash. New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), a nationwide body of pilots, has sent legal notices to international media platforms, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and Reuters, accusing them of not basing their reports on facts while highlighting Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the AI-171 plane crash. The Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London had crashed shortly after takeoff on 12 June, killing 260. The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jennifer Homendy, said 19 July that the media reports surrounding the probable causes of the air crash were 'premature and speculative'. 'India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau just released its preliminary report. Investigations of this magnitude take time. We fully support the AAIB's public appeal, which was released Thursday, and will continue to support its ongoing investigation. All investigative questions should be addressed to the AAIB,' Homendy said in a statement. Speaking to ThePrint, Randhawa accused the media organisations of conducting a 'private investigation' into the matter and asked, 'How did they do this when the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) clearly asked the media to focus on the details given in the AAIB's report?' Regarding the legal notices sent to the media organisations, Randhawa told ThePrint that the FIP has received a response from WSJ and his legal team is soon going to respond to it. 'I cannot share the details of the response for now but all the details will be out in the due course of time,' he said. Earlier, speaking to ANI, Randhawa said that NTSB's statement will put all speculations to rest on 'blaming Indian pilots'. He also said that the WSJ is to be blamed for 'misleading' the public. '…they come out with their own conclusions. Are they the investigative body? They're saying all this rubbish around the world. They are not the investigative body, and the reports are not based on any factual content, which is mentioned in the preliminary report. So, how can they jump to conclusions and give press statements around the world?' he told ANI. Randhawa said that FIP has initiated legal action against the media organisation, and in the notices shared with them, the organisation has asked for an explanation and an official apology. 'If they don't, then we will take further action based on lawyers' advice,' he said. Also read: Inside the final moments of Air India 171—the hrs leading up to take-off & the 32 seconds before crash WSJ report revelations A Wall Street Journal report published on 17 July, citing sources close to the investigation, claimed that cockpit voice recordings from AI-171 indicated a critical moment shortly after takeoff on 12 June, when fuel to both engines was cut off mid-air and that the recording suggested that it was the captain who flipped the switches controlling the fuel supply. The WSJ report also claimed that the voice recordings indicated the pilots' emotional states, with the first officer reportedly reacting with shock and panic, while the captain remained calm, something the report claimed shed light on decision-making during the final moments of the flight. The preliminary report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) notes that the fuel switches were flipped within a second of each other and turned back on just 10 seconds later. This sequence has raised questions about whether the action was accidental or deliberate. US officials, according to the WSJ, are now exploring the possibility of a criminal case, even as the official cause remains undetermined. While the AAIB's preliminary report has not named any pilot responsible for flipping the fuel switches, the sources cited by the WSJ in the report say, 'Details in the preliminary report also suggest it was the captain who turned off the switches, according to people familiar with the matter, US pilots and safety experts tracking the probe.' (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Air India crash prelim report sparks criticism, debate: 'Bias toward pilot error, shrouded in secrecy'
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Air India crash relief: Tata Group launches Rs 500 crore trust for victims' families and responders, to offer long-term support and Rs 1 crore ex gratia for every life lost
Tata Sons and Tata Trusts on Friday announced the formation of a dedicated Rs 500 crore welfare trust to support victims of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives, including 19 on the ground. In an official statement, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts said 'The Trust will provide both immediate and continuing support to the dependents/next-of-kin of the deceased, to those who were injured, and to all others who are directly or collaterally affected by the accident.' The trust, named 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', has been registered in Mumbai and will be managed and administered by a five-member Board of Trustees. The initial two trustees appointed are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran, and Sidharth Sharma, General Counsel at Tata Sons. Additional trustees will be appointed in due course. The group has pledged Rs 500 crore — Rs 250 crore each from Tata Sons and Tata Trusts — toward the trust's philanthropic objectives. These include an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore to the families of each of the deceased, full medical treatment for those with serious injuries, and aid for the rebuilding of the B J Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which was damaged in the crash. The statement also noted that the Trust would extend assistance 'for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident.' The trust will begin operations after the completion of required registration and tax formalities, which are currently underway, the statement said. The Air India aircraft, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, resulting in one of the country's worst aviation tragedies in recent years. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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First Post
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- First Post
Air India crash: Are Boeing's fuel switches faulty? Could it have caused the tragedy?
After the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Indian aviation regulator and other airlines across the world have ordered checks of the fuel control switches in their Boeing planes. This comes after the fuel switches have come under scrutiny following the initial investigation into the accident. An old advisory that flagged issues with the mechanism of these cogs has also resurfaced read more Remains of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, Thursday in June. File image/PTI Days after the preliminary report on Air India Flight AI-171, which crashed in Ahmedabad in June, highlighted the role of fuel switches, many airlines within India as well as abroad are now investigating this mechanism. India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered all airlines, which operate the Boeing's 787 and 737, to check fuel control switch locking mechanisms on them by July 21. Moreover, Etihad Airlines and other major airlines across the world have also started checking the locking mechanism in the fuel switches. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But why? What's going on? We get you the answers. Checks ordered for fuel switches in India and abroad On Monday (July 14), the DGCA ordered all airlines to check fuel switch locking system in Boeing 787, 737 planes in the aftermath of the deadly Air India plane crash that killed 241 passengers on board. The Indian aviation regulator has asked airlines to complete these checks by July 21, next Monday. Currently, only two Indian airlines operate these variants of the plane — Air India and IndiGo. An NDTV report states that Air India has completed checks on 50 per cent of the fleet in question with no malfunctions being found as of yet in the fuel switch's locking mechanism. Notably, Etihad Airlines and airline operators in South Korea have also been asked to carry out checks on fuel control switches. Korean Air Lines, in fact, on Tuesday, announced that it had begun inspecting fuel control switches and would implement any additional requirements the transport ministry may have. Additionally, even Singapore Airlines have started the process. Bloomberg also reported that Oman Air has also completed checks on fuel switches, while Saudi is checking its jets. The investigation underway at the site of the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. PTI Reasons for the checks The DGCA's order and the other checks being carried out comes after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary report, released last Saturday (July 12), stated that both of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's fuel-control switches moved to the 'cutoff' position. This led to the airplane's engines being starved of fuel and lose power. Moreover, the cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why he had cut off the fuel in the final moments before the crash. The other pilot responded that he had not done so, the report revealed, raising questions about the position of the critical engine fuel cutoff switches. The report doesn't clarify who or how the fuel switches jumped from 'run' to 'cutoff' just after takeoff. Fuel control switches, located on the critical cockpit control panel, are used to start or shut down engines on the ground. What is very important to note here is that these switches cannot be accidentally or gently moved by pilots operating a flight. The fuel cutoff switches are spring-loaded to remain firmly in place. A pilot must first pull the switch up before moving it from the 'run' to the 'cutoff' position, or vice versa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged a potential issue with fuel control switches on Boeing airplanes in 2018. In a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), NM-18-33, indicated that there was a potential equipment malfunction with the fuel switches. The bulletin had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. In a recommendation, the FAA wrote, 'Inspect the locking feature of the fuel control switch to ensure its engagement. While the airplane is on the ground, check whether the fuel control switch can be moved between the two positions without lifting up the switch. If the switch can be moved without lifting it up, the locking feature has been disengaged and the switch should be replaced at the earliest opportunity.' The wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, lies on a building, in Ahmedabad. Both switches feeding fuel to the two engines of Air India flight 171 were cut off followed before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, the first investigation report into the crash has revealed. PTI What is notable is that at the time, the FAA did not consider it to be an unsafe condition. Moreover, the AAIB noted that the 'airworthiness concern was not considered an unsafe condition' and Air India did not carry out the inspections as the 'as the SAIB was advisory and not mandatory'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AAIB noted that the throttle control module was replaced on VT-ANB in 2019 and 2023. However, the reason for the replacement was not linked to the fuel control switch. There has been no defect reported pertaining to the fuel control switch since 2023 on VT-ANB,' the AAIB report says. Notably, this is not the first time that airlines and regulators worldwide have stepped away from FAA directives to independently take decisions impacting flight safety. In 2019, various governments and regulators ignored the FAA after an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed. But it wasn't just the US FAA that had issued a bulletin on the fuel switches in Boeing aircraft. It has now emerged that the UK Civil Aviation Authority warned about a similar fuel system flaw. On May 15, 2024, the UK regulator issued a directive to operators of five Boeing aircraft variants urging them to review and address a US Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive. The FAA directive had flagged fuel shutoff valve actuators, critical to preventing fuel leaks and engine shutdowns, as a potential safety concern. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CAA notice explicitly listed the Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787 models and directed airlines to take mandatory action by either testing, inspecting, or replacing fuel shutoff valve actuators on affected planes as a precaution. Moreover, the safety notice specifically ordered daily checks of the fuel shutoff valves to mitigate any risks. With inputs from agencies
