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Thenewsdose.com
Ahmedabad/New Delhi,July 12,UPDATED:4.35PM
In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people, including many on the ground. The ill-fated London-bound flight, carrying 242 individuals — including 12 crew members — plunged into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, triggering a national outcry and multi-agency investigation.
The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (45), was seated at window seat 11A near an emergency exit. His miraculous escape stands in contrast to the scale of devastation, as this marks the first fatal crash involving Boeing’s best-selling 787 Dreamliner globally.
Initial Investigation and Recovery
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a formal probe on June 13, assembling a multi-disciplinary team to examine the circumstances of the crash. A high-level committee led by the Union Home Secretary has also been constituted to suggest preventive mechanisms for the future.
Both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) — the black boxes — were recovered from the crash site on June 13 and 16. They were securely transported to the AAIB lab in Delhi on June 24, with data extraction commencing the same day. The memory modules from both devices have been successfully accessed.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN’s aviation body, has joined the investigation with observer status, underlining the global importance of the probe.
Air India’s Response and ‘Safety Pause’
Air India, now under Tata Group ownership, has initiated a voluntary ‘Safety Pause’, cutting 38 international and 19 domestic weekly services, and suspending six routes to allow for enhanced safety checks. This includes rigorous inspection of the Boeing 787 and 777 fleets, following directives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated the pause was essential “to accommodate voluntary aircraft checks, navigate volatile airspace, and stabilise flight schedules to restore trust.”
Compensation and Support Measures
Tata Sons has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for each deceased passenger’s family and ₹25 lakh as interim relief. The airline has also deployed a team of psychologists to support grieving families and survivors.
While multiple theories around the crash continue to surface, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu has assured that all will be analysed as part of the official investigation.
The AAIB’s preliminary findings mark the beginning of what is expected to be a detailed and closely watched investigation into the tragic crash that has shaken the aviation sector and raised serious questions about operational safety.
