Ahmedabad plane crash: Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the tragic Air India AI 171 plane crash in Ahmedabad from all possible angles including sabotage. The London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 crashed on June 12, killing 274 people, including residents on the ground.
Speaking with NDTV, Mohol said, “The AAIB has begun a full investigation into it… CCTV footage is being reviewed, and all angles are being assessed. Several agencies are working on it.”
What do we know about the AI 171 crash?
Flight AI 171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:30 PM and lost altitude almost immediately. The aircraft plummeted into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in the Meghaninagar area. Only one of the 242 people onboard survived. The crash also killed nine medical students and their relatives who were in the vicinity.
The pilot had issued a Mayday distress call seconds after takeoff, according to Air Traffic Control.
Dual engine failure suspected
Calling the crash a “rare case,” Minister Mohol pointed to the possibility of a dual engine failure. “It has never happened that both engines have shut down together,” he said. “We will be able to ascertain whether it was an engine problem, fuel supply issue, or something else after the investigation.”
The recovered black box, containing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), is currently in AAIB custody. Mohol confirmed it would not be sent abroad and the analysis would be completed in India. The final report is expected within three months.
DGCA inspects entire Dreamliner fleet
Following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered a thorough inspection of all 33 Boeing Dreamliner aircraft in India. Mohol reassured the public: “Everything was found safe. People are no longer scared and travelling comfortably.”
He acknowledged public concern post-crash but reiterated the rarity of the incident.
Mohol also touched on other pressing aviation sector issues, including:
DGCA staffing: “There are 419 technical vacancies which the DGCA will soon begin addressing.”
Pilot exploitation: Private airline pilots facing excessive work hours were encouraged to approach the Civil Aviation Ministry directly.
Airfare and food prices: Efforts are underway to make air travel and airport food more affordable. “Udaan Yatri Cafes” offering items like Rs 10 water and Rs 20 snacks are already operational at a few airports and will expand.