New Delhi: A high-level committee investigating the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash will hold its first meeting this afternoon in New Delhi, as authorities intensify efforts to determine the cause of the tragedy that claimed at least 271 lives.
The committee, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is scheduled to meet this afternoon in connection with the recent Ahmedabad plane crash, according to government sources.
Committee Composition and Mandate
The multi-disciplinary committee includes senior officials from key aviation and security agencies:
- Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation
- Senior Officials from the Home Ministry
- Officials from Gujarat’s Home Department and State Disaster Response Authority
- Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad
- Director General of Inspection and Safety, Indian Air Force
- Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
The committee is tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the crash and formulating Standard Operating Procedures to prevent future tragedies, with a three-month deadline for its report.
Crash Details and Investigation Progress
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, bound for London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before descending and crashing into buildings, including a medical college hostel.
Of the 242 people aboard—230 passengers and 12 crew members—only one passenger survived. The lone survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries.
Parallel Technical Investigation
This high-level inquiry runs concurrently with a technical investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) at the crash site. Aviation ministry sources confirmed that investigators and rescue workers had recovered the digital flight data recorder – one of the two black boxes on the plane.
The investigation is focusing on the engine, flaps and landing gear, according to sources, while the aviation regulator has ordered safety checks on Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet.
International Cooperation
The international aspect of the investigation has intensified, with teams of experts arriving from both the UK and the US. Under international protocols during crashes, the country where the incident took place will lead the investigation, along with officials, the maker of the aircraft and its engines, and others.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it will send a team of investigators to India, while Boeing has pledged full cooperation with the probe.
Aviation Safety Implications
This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a aircraft type that has been in service since 2011. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most advanced jets in service and experts say it has a generally strong safety record, with no previous fatal accidents.
The crash represents the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade, prompting urgent questions about aviation safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
Relief Efforts and DNA Identification
As of Sunday evening, only 87 victims had been formally identified through DNA matching, leaving over 200 still unconfirmed. PK Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited Ahmedabad to oversee relief efforts, including meeting with bereaved families and observing DNA matching processes.
The committee meeting today marks a crucial milestone in understanding one of aviation’s most tragic incidents, as authorities work to prevent future disasters and provide closure to the families affected by this devastating crash.
