New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has prepared the preliminary report on last month’s Air India crash, ThePrint has learnt.
This report has been submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation as well as other stakeholders, going by the protocol. The report is based on the initial findings in the investigation. The Ministry is yet to issue a statement on the matter.
Top sources in the aviation sector confirmed that all norms are being followed and international standards are being maintained.
“The AAIB will be adhering to the international standards in regards to the Air India crash that took place 12 June in Ahmedabad. All international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are being followed,” a source said.
Earlier, the black box containing flight data and cockpit voice recordings was sent to the AAIB lab in Delhi for analysis.
According to the ICAO guidelines, India, as a signatory, is required to file a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash. All aircraft accidents are to be probed in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 (sets international standards for investigating aircraft accidents) and the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.
At least 275 people were killed after the London-bound Air India flight AI 171 crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel building in Ahmedabad, seconds after take off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June. Out of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, only one person survived the crash.
After the crash, the ministry had said that a dual probe is underway on the crash. The technical aspect is probed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and a high-level committee was looking into other aspects of the crash.
The AAIB probe is led by the agency’s Director General and includes an aviation medicine specialist, an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) officer, and representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a government investigative agency from the state of manufacture and design (i.e., the US), as required for such probes.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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