Government forms high-level committee to probe Air India plane crash, review SOPs

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday announced that a high-level multi-disciplinary committee will be formed to examine the causes behind the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport on June 12, which claimed at least 265 lives and injured many others.

The ministry said the panel will assess the circumstances leading to the crash and evaluate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety guidelines currently in place.

The announcement was made via a post on X, where the ministry said that the committee’s primary objective is to recommend a robust framework for preventing and effectively managing similar aviation incidents in the future.

The ministry also clarified that this committee will function independently and will not replace other statutory or technical investigations being carried out by relevant authorities.

“The Committee will not be a substitute to other enquiries being conducted by relevant organisations but will focus on formulating SOPs for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a post.

Air India Flight AI171 crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plunged into a medical college hostel in a nearby residential area. Eyewitness videos showed the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before spiraling into a fiery crash.

The ill-fated flight was carrying 230 passengers, 169 Indians, 53 British nationals and 1 Canadian, along with 12 crew members. Only one person survived the disaster.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with injured survivors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday. Identification of the deceased is ongoing, with a team of 70-80 doctors conducting post-mortem examinations. So far, five victims have been identified and their remains handed over to their families.

A formal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Forensic teams are examining the debris, and aviation authorities have launched a full-scale probe.

Tune In