The Plane Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is India’s official authority underneath the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with investigating plane accidents and severe incidents. Established in 2012, it operates underneath the Plane (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Guidelines, 2017, and complies with worldwide norms underneath ICAO Annex 13. AAIB has investigated 92 accidents and 111 severe incidents to this point.
The AI-171 Crash
On June 12, Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 registered as VT-ANB, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad whereas on path to London (Gatwick). The crash claimed the lives of 260 individuals, together with passengers, crew, and people on the bottom, marking one in all India’s worst aviation disasters.
Upon notification from the Airport Authority of India and Air India, AAIB dispatched a five-member group led by its Director Basic to the crash web site the identical day. Further assist was offered by DGCA’s Air Security Directorate. The investigation group was formally constituted and included specialists from a number of domains, together with engineering, flight recorders, aviation drugs, and psychology.
Worldwide Coordination
In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, AAIB knowledgeable worldwide counterparts because the crash concerned overseas nationals. The US Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB), representing the state of plane design and manufacture, appointed an Accredited Consultant. Technical specialists from Boeing, GE, and FAA, together with officers from the UK, Portugal, and Canada, joined the investigation.
Preliminary Findings and Ongoing Probe
Each flight recorders had been recovered, and knowledge from the ahead unit was efficiently extracted. Preliminary evaluation indicated that each engines minimize off seconds after take-off, with tried relight procedures initiated. Nevertheless, the investigation continues to be in progress, and no conclusions have been drawn.
In a proper assertion issued on July 17, AAIB emphasised that the preliminary report solely outlines “what” occurred, not why, and urged the media and public to keep away from speculative or selective interpretations. This assertion got here in response to sure reviews in Western media suggesting that cockpit voice recordings point out the captain could have manually shut off the gasoline provide to each engines. Whereas AAIB has indirectly addressed or denied these claims, it has reiterated that each one findings should be primarily based on verified proof, and the ultimate report detailing root causes and security suggestions will likely be launched upon the investigation’s conclusion.
