En route from Ahmedabad to London, Air India flight AI171 encountered catastrophe on June 12, shaking the entire nation. For the first time since the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation hosted a press briefing on Saturday.
During the briefing, the Ministry’s Secretary, Samar Kumar Sinha, disclosed that the ill-fated aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM, swiftly reaching an altitude of 650 feet before descending, indicating a potential mishap. Aboard were 242 individuals, comprising 230 passengers, two pilots, and ten crew members. A distress signal was transmitted by the pilot at 1:39 PM, yet attempts by Ahmedabad’s ATC to establish communication proved futile. Tragically, moments later, near Meghaninagar, approximately two kilometers from the airport, the crash transpired.
Prior to this calamity, the aircraft had successfully completed journeys from Paris to Delhi and Delhi to Ahmedabad. The runway was shuttered at 2:30 PM following the crash and, after necessary protocols, reopened for limited operations by 5 PM. Around 6 PM, Minister Naidu, along with the aviation team, arrived at the site to evaluate the devastation.
Naidu shared that the past two days have been a significant ordeal for everyone involved. He personally assessed the scene, witnessing the tragic aftermath. Ensuring passenger safety is paramount. We have established a high-level committee under the Home Secretary to probe all facets of the incident and prevent future occurrences.
The Minister expressed sincere condolences to the bereaved families and referenced the personal grief of losing his father in a traffic accident, underscoring his empathy. The shock of the crash resonates deeply with everyone, Naidu noted.
He confirmed an emergency alert was issued by the pilot. The Black Box was retrieved by 5 PM the following day, which is crucial for revealing the crash's cause. The decoding process is ongoing, with a comprehensive report expected within three months. DGCA and Intelligence Bureau officials are actively involved in the investigation. The site remains secured, awaiting findings from AAIB.
As of June 12, the death toll from the Air India crash has tragically risen to 270.
