Government sets up high-level panel to probe Air India Flight AI‑171 crash
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has announced the formation of a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee—chaired by the Union Home Secretary—that will examine what led to the crash, scrutinize current Standard Operating Procedures and safety protocols, and recommend a stronger framework for preventing and handling such incidents. The committee has a three-month deadline. MoCA emphasised it will operate independently and will not replace statutory or technical probes by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and other agencies .
The AAIB, supported by U.S. and U.K. investigators, is already analysing debris, cockpit voice and flight data recorders recovered from the wreckage . Authorities are exploring multiple angles—from mechanical failure to pilot error, weather, and regulatory compliance—to determine the root causes .
Witnesses said the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner plunged into a BJ Medical College hostel just 30–33 seconds after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, killing at least 265 people with dozens more injured. Only one person survived, while post-mortems and DNA testing continue.
Prime Minister Modi, during his visit, described the event as “heartbreaking beyond words” and directed that all affected families receive full assistance and identification support . Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that DNA testing for charred remains is expected to take 48–72 hours .
Local eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes: a mayday call issued seconds after takeoff, followed by black smoke and a massive fireball as the aircraft spiraled toward the hostel . Vidhi Chaudhary, Ahmedabad IG, confirmed at least 33 hostel residents died, with over 60 injured .
This accident, the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is the worst in India in over a decade, and the first involving this aircraft type since its entry into service in 2011 . It has prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to order immediate maintenance checks on all 787‑8 and 787‑9 aircraft operated by Air India, including extensive power system inspections within two weeks
