The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has sent shockwaves across the nation. Aviation experts and former officials are now raising serious questions regarding the incident.
Air India Plane Crash: The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has shaken the entire country. The flight, departing for London on Thursday afternoon, crashed minutes after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 241 lives. This devastating accident claimed the lives of several prominent citizens, including Gujarat's former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani.
Several questions are now being raised about the accident, especially after it emerged that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously sent a warning letter to Air India concerning the aircraft's safety.
Background of the Accident: How did it happen?
Air India flight AI-187 departed from Ahmedabad for London Heathrow Airport at 1:38 PM on Thursday. The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Within six minutes of takeoff, both the right and left engines suddenly failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but the plane crashed into the SVP Hospital hostel complex and immediately caught fire.
According to eyewitnesses, the plane's altitude suddenly dropped, and it crashed to the ground with a loud bang. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire, and firefighters faced considerable difficulty in rescue operations.
DGCA's Warning and Air India's Negligence?
Dr. Sanat Kaul, a former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has expressed grave concern over the accident. According to him, this is not just a technical malfunction but may also be a result of oversight and lack of accountability. Dr. Kaul claims that the DGCA had previously sent letters to Air India, issuing several warnings regarding this aircraft and its maintenance. This suggests that serious safety issues related to the aircraft were ignored.
He questioned how both engines could fail simultaneously. Were there maintenance lapses? Was the pre-flight inspection properly conducted?
Age of the Aircraft and Boeing's Deteriorating Reputation
The crashed aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, only 10 years old. Although Boeing is a 100-year-old reputable company, several problems have consistently emerged regarding its aircraft in recent years. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting quality checks on Boeing aircraft.
According to Dr. Kaul, aviation regulations in India are at par with international standards, but the risk remains as long as strict adherence is not ensured at the operational level. Given the severity of this accident, the Indian government has formed a high-level joint investigation team. Furthermore, a specialist team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US and Boeing are arriving in India.
The black box has been recovered, and its data analysis will reveal the true cause of the technical failure—whether it was a design flaw, maintenance negligence, or pilot mismanagement.
Several Foreign Nationals Among the Deceased; Government Offers Assistance
The accident involved 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian citizen. Governments of several countries have requested information from the Indian government on the accident and offered assistance. The Indian government has assured that all possible help will be provided to the families of the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and ordered a high-level investigation into the accident.
