Ahmedabad: The investigation into the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash, which claimed 274 lives in Ahmedabad last month, is examining all possible causes, including sabotage, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. Mohol described the incident as a “rare case,” noting that the simultaneous failure of both engines was highly unusual.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe into the June 12 crash of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which plummeted into a residential area near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after takeoff at approximately 1:30 PM. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into the BJ Medical College residential quarters in Meghaninagar, resulting in a fire that killed nine people on the ground. Only one person survived.
Mohol stated that the AAIB is reviewing CCTV footage and collaborating with multiple agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident. The black box, comprising the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), has been recovered and is being analyzed in India, with no plans to send it abroad. A comprehensive report on the crash is expected within three months.
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Addressing safety concerns, Mohol reassured the public that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has inspected all 33 Boeing Dreamliners in Air India’s fleet, finding no safety issues. “Everything was found safe. People are no longer scared and are travelling comfortably,” he told.