Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash: Sabotage Or System Failure? Black Box May Reveal Shocking Truth, Check Aviation MoS's Reaction

The tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last month, which claimed 274 lives, is now being investigated from all angles. Authorities are also looking into the possibility of sabotage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe and currently has the black box of flight AI 171.

As reported by NDTV, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the black box won’t be sent abroad for analysis. It contains key data, including the cockpit voice recorder. “It (plane crash) was an unfortunate incident. The AAIB has begun a full investigation into it... It is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage,” he told NDTV at the Pune chapter of the Emerging Business Conclave.

Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash: What Happened On June 12

Flight AI 171 (a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8) was flying to London. Soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:30 pm, it lost altitude. The aircraft crashed into the staff quarters of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar and caught fire. Out of 242 people on board, only one survived. Nine people on the ground, including students and their families, also died.

The pilot had sent out a ‘Mayday’ emergency signal moments after takeoff. Experts believe a rare dual-engine failure might have caused the crash. Mohol called it a “rare case”. “It has never happened that both engines have shut down together,” he said.

He added, “Once the (probe) report comes, we will be able to ascertain if it was an engine problem or fuel supply issue or why both the engines had stopped functioning... It is too early to say anything, but whatever it is, it will come out. The report will come in three months.”

Govt On Air Safety, Airlines And Cheap Food

The minister also spoke about other issues in the aviation sector. He said the DGCA is working to fill 419 technical job vacancies. On hiring in private airlines, he said, “No appointments can be made without the DGCA's approval. Private airlines cannot take whoever they want. You need certain qualifications, etc.”

He addressed pilot complaints, too. If any pilot feels overworked or mistreated, they can directly approach the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Talking about travel costs, Mohol said efforts are being made to make airport food cheaper. “The people will get food at cheap rates... Four to five airports have Udaan Yatri Cafes where you get water for Rs 10, tea and samosas for Rs 20... these will gradually expand.”