Ahmedabad crash: No flaws found in Air India's 12 Boeing aircraft so far, says minister

A high-level multi-disciplinary committee formed by the Centre to investigate the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash will submit its report within three months, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol said on Tuesday (June 17).

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) with 230 passengers and 12 crew members crashed into the complex of a medical college moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12. One person survived the crash, while 241 on board and 29 on the ground were killed, as per officials.

Investigation underway

Mohol said, "The investigation is underway and several small details will be investigated. Many things will come to light after downloading the 'black box'. A committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of the Union Home Secretary to investigate the matter. The report will be submitted within three months."

The doomed aircraft’s black box—which includes the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder—has already been recovered and may hold vital clues to understanding what led to the disaster

Also read: Hong Kong-Delhi AI flight returns to airport after suspected technical snag

Crash review

The Centre on Saturday set up a high-level multi-disciplinary panel to ascertain the "root cause" of the crash of the London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad and assess any contributing factors, including mechanical failure, human error and regulatory compliances.

The panel, headed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, will not be a substitute to other probes being conducted by relevant organisations, the Civil Aviation Ministry had said.

Also read: Ahmedabad crash: Body of pilot Sumeet Sabharwal brought to Mumbai

Since a separate investigation is also being carried out by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is looking into the technical aspects of the crash, the panel discussed the possible causes and lessons to be taken from it, sources said.

Possible causes

Probe agencies were looking into all possible causes for the crash, including loss of thrust in both engines of the aircraft, multiple bird strikes, or a potential wing flap issue.

The panel heard the opinion of various stakeholders about the possible causes and deliberated on steps to be taken to check future occurrence of such accidents by formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Also read: Ahmedabad plane crash: US agency launches parallel probe

Examination of Boeing fleet

Air India operates 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Orders have been given to inspect and investigate all the 34 carriers. Of them, 10 to 12 carriers have been inspected so far and no issue has been found in them yet. Hospital authorities in Ahmedabad have collected 270 DNA samples and 70 to 80 bodies have been handed over to their relatives.

Also read: What Air India must do to arrest its freefall post Ahmedabad plane crash

NTSB probe

The United States' National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also launched a parallel probe into the crash, drawing several international experts to the accident site.

The NTSB is conducting a parallel probe under international protocols, as the aircraft is American made, an official release earlier said. It is an independent federal agency of the US tasked with investigating every civil aviation accident.

(With inputs from agencies)