New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the preliminary report on the fatal Air India plane crash on June 12 and said there are no recommended actions to operators of Boeing 787-8 and GEnx-1B engine operators at this stage of the probe.
The plane, carrying 242 people, crashed in around 30 seconds after lift off and engine fuel control switches got switched off little over a second after lift off, AAIB said.
While the investigation is continuing into the crash that killed 260 people, AAIB said fuel samples taken from the bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested at the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Lab and were found satisfactory.
On June 12, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en-route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 persons who were onboard the plane. One passenger survived the crash.
The aircraft took off at 08:08:39 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and at about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted ‘MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY’.
“The ATCO (Air Traffic Controller) enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response,” AAIB said in its 15-page report.
AAIB said the wreckage site activities, including drone photography/ videography have been completed and the wreckage has been moved to a secure area near the airport.
“Both engines were retrieved from the wreckage site and quarantined at a hangar in the airport. Components of interest for further examinations have been identified and quarantined,” it said.
According to the report, fuel samples taken from the bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested at the DGCA’s Lab and were found satisfactory.
“Very limited amount of fuel samples could be retrieved from the APU filter and Refuel/Jettison valve of left wing. The testing of these samples will be done at a suitable facility capable of carrying out the test with the limited available quantity,” it said.
AAIB is gathering additional details based on initial leads and data downloaded from the forward Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) is being analysed.
“At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers,” the report said.
The plane that crashed was powered by GEnx-1B engines.
Statements of the witnesses and the surviving passenger have been obtained by the investigators.
The complete analysis of post-mortem reports of the crew and the passengers is being undertaken to corroborate aeromedical findings with the engineering appreciation, AAIB said.
The probe is continuing and the investigation team will review and examine additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from the stakeholders, it said.
There were 230 passengers on board, out of which 15 passengers were in business class and 215 passengers were in economy class including two infants.
The Pilot In Command (PIC) had more than 15,638 hours of flying experience while the first officer had over 3,403 hours of flying experience.
The Ahmedabad crash was also the first time that the wide-body Dreamliner or Boeing 787 suffered a fatal accident resulting in hull loss.
On June 26, a status report of the crash was released by the civil aviation ministry. PTI RAM NB NB NB
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