The death toll from Thursday’s Air India Boeing 787-8 crash near Ahmedabad has risen to 274, including 33 confirmed ground fatalities at the campus of Ahmedabad’s BJ Medical College.
Air India flight AI-171, bound for London, went down shortly after takeoff with 241 people on board. Only one passenger survived the world’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
In response, the Indian government has formed a high-level committee led by the home secretary, with state and central joint secretaries as members. The panel must publish its report within three months.
Investigators are zeroing in on engine thrust settings, flap configurations and the fact that the landing gear remained deployed during takeoff. They’re also examining Air India’s maintenance records for any lapses.
Rescue teams recovered the digital flight data recorder from the building rooftop where the jet crashed. The cockpit voice recorder is still missing but remains essential for reconstructing the final moments.
With the aviation community shaken, travelers and industry watchers worldwide will be following the probe closely to understand what went wrong and how safety standards can be strengthened.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
