Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Crash Investigation

The tragic crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport is under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a unit of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). This incident marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft globally and the first wide-body crash for an Indian airline in four decades.

Details of the Incident

• The aircraft, with registration VT-ANB, was operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
• The signal was lost at an altitude of 625 feet, and it descended with a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute before crashing.
• Pilots issued a Mayday call to Ahmedabad air traffic control (ATC) before the crash.

Initial Evidence Collection by AAIB

Once rescue operations are completed, the AAIB will cordon off the site to collect evidence, including retrieving the black boxes such as the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR).

• Evidence collection includes mapping signs of impact, recording wreckage distribution, and conducting photography and videography.
• Interviews with witnesses and retrieval of data from onboard systems, GPS devices, and CCTV footage will be performed.
• Data from ATC, radar stations, and meteorological records will be gathered.

Beginning of the Probe

• The AAIB will set up an investigation team comprising domain experts, including pilots and air traffic controllers.
• Boeing will assist the team, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead a team of US investigators.
• Thorough examination and analysis of evidence will identify circumstances and safety issues contributing to the accident.

Preparation of Report

The investigation team will draft a report including all factual information, analysis, conclusions, and safety recommendations.

• The draft report will be reviewed by "concerned states" for comments before being finalized.
• If necessary, additional evidence may be gathered for further analysis.
• The final report is shared with the DGCA and other regulatory authorities for action on recommendations.

Government Response

In response to the incident, the government will form a high-level committee of experts to strengthen aviation safety and prevent future incidents.