India plane crash: ‘Every possible cause' being investigated
An Indian aviation minister confirmed that authorities were investigating 'all angles', including sabotage, after the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Murlidhar Mohol, the minister of state for civil aviation, said investigators were looking into every possible explanation for the cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash shortly after take-off on June 12.
The ill-fated Boeing plane was bound for Gatwick airport. There was only one survivor among the 241 passengers.
Some 265 people on board and on the ground were killed in the crash
SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Speaking to the Indian news channel NDTV, Mohol said all eventualities were being considered. 'It has never happened before that both engines have shut off together,' he added.
'The AAIB [Air Accidents Investigation Branch] has begun a full investigation into it … it is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage.
'The CCTV footage is being reviewed and all angles are being assessed … several agencies are working on it.'
The AAIB is leading the investigation, together with American and British experts, but has yet to comment on any findings.
Air India has said that the 787 was 'well maintained' and that the pilots were experienced flyers
SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The investigation is using voice and data recordings from Flight 171's black box in the hope of reconstructing a timeline of events which will help unravel the cause of the disaster.
Mohol said it was premature to make conclusions about the reasons for the crash until the publication of the investigation report. 'Once the report comes, we will be able to ascertain if it was an engine problem or fuel supply issue, or why both engines had stopped functioning,' he said.
'There is a CVR [cockpit voice recorder] in the black box which has stored the conversation between the two pilots. It is too early to say anything, but whatever it is, it will come out. The report will come in three months.'
Investigators are said to be examining potential issues linked to the landing gear, which stayed extended, engine thrust and flap settings.
The Indian authorities previously confirmed that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the high-tech flagship of the Boeing fleet, struggled to become airborne, using almost all of the 3,500m runway.
Video of the take-off showed dust thrown up after the end of the runway, indicating power from both engines as the plane passed over. In his emergency call seconds after take-off, the co-pilot told air traffic controllers: 'Thrust not achieved … falling … Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!', according to local aviation sources.
Air India has said that the 787 was 'well maintained' and that the pilots were experienced flyers.
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