
Indian authorities decide to accord observer status to ICAO expert in AI plane crash probe: Source
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Indian authorities have decided to accord observer status to UN body ICAO's expert in the ongoing probe into the fatal Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, a top official source said on Friday.
In a not-so-common move, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sought observer status for its expert in the investigation.
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en-route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 people who were onboard the plane. One passenger survived.
The probe into the crash is in progress.
On Friday, the official source told PTI that after considering the request, it has been decided to accord the observer status to ICAO expert in the investigation.
The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner, the official source emphasised.
Further details could not be immediately ascertained.
An aircraft accident investigation is carried out as per Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.
The International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) contained in the nineteen Technical Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also called Chicago Convention) are applied universally and produce a high degree of technical uniformity which has enabled international civil aviation to develop in a safe, orderly and efficient manner, as per ICAO website.
SARPS have been developed by ICAO, which was established in 1944.
On Thursday, the civil aviation ministry said data is being extracted from black boxes, and analysis of cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the crashed aircraft is underway.
AAIB promptly initiated an investigation and constituted a multi-disciplinary team headed by the AAIB chief on June 13 in line with prescribed norms. The team includes an aviation medicine specialist, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ministry had said in a statement.

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Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fragments of grief: AI 171 families cling to mementos from ashes — scorched gold jewellery and torn clothes, which tell stories of loss, are all that remain
Following the devastating AI 171 crash, families grapple with profound loss, receiving fragmented remains of their loved ones' belongings. A gold bar, a child's shoe, charred clothing, and a medicine packet serve as poignant reminders of lives tragically cut short. AHMEDABAD/VADODARA: The debris of the ill-fated flight AI 171 may have been cleared from Meghaninagar, but for the families of the 241 lives lost in the June 12 crash, the emotional wreckage remains. For many, closure comes in fragments: a child's lone shoe, scorched jewellery, torn clothes. These fragile items, returned by authorities, now carry unbearable meaning. They are fragments of love, loss, and all that never got to be said. For Yasin Vora of Ahmedabad, a bar of gold serves as the last tangible link to his wife Yasmin Bano, 51. "Yasmin had got a bracelet so our daughter-in-law could wear it for a baby shower, as it is customary to wear gold on that day. She was wearing it on the flight," says Yasin. A local goldsmith, moved by the tragedy, cleaned the jewellery without charge. "The ornaments were damaged, so we had it refined into a gold bar. I will keep it forever. " Yasmin had planned to fly on June 9 but delayed her journey to travel with his nephew Parvez, 31, and Parvez's four-year-old daughter Zuveriya who also died in the crash. His nephew Ejaz Vora says fragments of Parvez's and Zuveriya's clothing were buried with them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Yasmin was headed to London to visit her sons, both expecting children. What should have been a joyous six-month visit turned into a farewell none could imagine. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Another grieving relative from Ahmedabad, who refused to be named, said he received a single shoe and an anklet belonging to the child who died in the crash. "That's all we got. That's all we could bury," he says quietly. In Bharuch, Dr Salim Kukreja recalls receiving the charred remains of his sister Sajida Salim's clothes and necklace. "We never opened the body bag. The necklace is the last thing I have of her." Rafik Daud from Diu holds his son Faizan's ring tightly. "They sent it along with his remains. It was proof of his identity. We got it cleaned and keep it close now." In Anand, the prominent Halani family mourns three members: Badruddin Halani, 62, Yasmin Halani, 60, and Malek Rajabali Halani, 65. They were headed to the UK to visit family. After the crash, Aseem Halani received only a piece of his father's trouser and a charred belt. "Nothing of my mother remains," he said. Riyaz Halani, Malek's son, received two scorched gold bangles. "They were on her wrists when she died." Badruddin, known for his social service in the UK, planned to travel to the US to raise funds for the Sainik School in Silvassa - a cause close to his heart. The Halani family awaits the return of the rest of the baggage, currently in police custody. "We have been told that after verification, it will be handed over to Air India, which will then contact the families," said Riyaz. Vadodara resident Heer Prajapati, whose mother Kalpana Prajapati was among the victims, said all they received was a medicine packet stuck to her body after the crash. "She had been carrying it in her handbag. That's how they identified her," said Heer. "She wore gold bangles and other jewellery, but I suppose they were destroyed." He plans to approach police in Ahmedabad with a formal request for any remaining belongings. There were others who have not been as fortunate. Arvind Khunt from Gir-Somnath, who lost his son Neel, said, "We got nothing. Not even his phone, laptop or bag. They said they'll inform us if anything turns up."
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First Post
30 minutes ago
- First Post
Rath Yatra: Over 500 devotees injured due to overcrowding in Odisha's Puri, many fell ill amid intense heat
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Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
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For now, India must depend on China or ramp up recycling and strategic imports to secure EV and defence supply chains. That's all for this week, I hope you have a pleasant weekend! If you have feedback, want to talk about food, or have anything else to say about our journalism, write to me at or reply to this mail. You can also write to feedback@ Subscriber Experience Team