First-ever 787 crash: Boeing in recovery mode, gathers data
Boeing has been in recovery mode for more than six years after Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max 8, plunged into the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia minutes after take-off from Jakarta, killing all 189 on board. Five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, also a Boeing 737 Max 8, crashed after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing 157 passengers and crew members.
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India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Air India Denies Allegations Of Forcing AI 171 Crash Victims' Families To Disclose Financial Dependency
New Delhi: Air India has denied allegations from British law firm Stewarts Law that it forced families of the AI 171 crash victims to disclose financial dependency on the deceased to get compensation. Over 40 families represented by Stewarts Law have accused the airline of coercion and intimidation as they pursue claims related to the crash of the London-bound Boeing plane crash at Ahmedabad in which over 241 passengers and crew were killed. "Air India categorically rejects these allegations and refutes them as both unsubstantiated and inaccurate," the Tata Group airline said in a statement. The airline clarified that a questionnaire circulated among certain passengers was intended solely to verify familial relationships, ensuring the rightful distribution of interim payments. 'Understandably, there are some formal processes that must be followed, but we are giving families all the time and flexibility they need. We want to support however we can,' Air India said in a statement. "In order to facilitate payments, Air India has sought basic information to establish family relationships to ensure that the advance payments are received by those entitled to them. Family members have been issued with a questionnaire to allow Air India to gather the information required to process compensation payments. This can be submitted in person at our Facilitation Centre at the Taj Skyline hotel in Ahmedabad, or by e-mail, and families have been given time and flexibility to complete these. Air India has certainly not made any unsolicited visits to families' homes," Air India said. Air India executives said that an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh has been paid to 47 families, while interim compensation for another 55 families is in process and will be disbursed soon. UK-based law firm Stewarts, which is representing over 40 bereaved families, has alleged that Air India has been 'coercing' families into submitting legally significant financial disclosures before receiving advance compensation. "This tactic has deeply distressed families already dealing with an immense loss," the firm said. The allegations come weeks after the June 12 disaster, in which 241 people on board and many on the ground died when the plane crashed into a medical college hostel seconds after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport. Peter Neenan, an aviation lawyer and partner at UK law firm Stewarts, has represented families in a number of large airline disasters around the world, including the high-profile MH17 and MH370 crashes. He claimed the airline's treatment of grief-stricken families could save it at least £100m by under-compensating families. 'This is the real horror of what they're potentially looking to do,' he said, calling for an investigation into the airline's behaviour. Neenan said the families were not given any warning, legal advice, or a copy of the documents. Some families have told him that Air India officials went round to their homes and asked why they had not yet completed the forms, he added. Neenan claimed families were falsely told they would not receive any payments unless they completed the forms, even though airlines are required under international law to make immediate advance payments to families entitled to compensation. Families are not required to do anything more than provide proof of identity and sign a receipt.
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
"Nothing Wrong Done By...": Lawyer On Air India vs UK Law Firm Over Compensation
New Delhi: Legal experts from the US and the UK are leading the efforts to file lawsuits against Boeing - the manufacturer of the aircraft that crashed on June 12 in Ahmedabad. The AI171 crash was one of the worst in recent history, in which 241 people onboard the plane were killed and only one survived. Air India had announced that it would provide an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh or approximately GBP 21,500 to the families of each of the victims and survivors of the airline's crash to help address immediate financial needs. This, it said, is in addition to the compensation of Rs 1 crore announced by its parent company, Tata Sons. However, families of the victims have accused the Tata Group-owned airline of "forcing" them to make financial disclosures under the "threat of receiving no advance compensation", even as the carrier "categorically rejected" the allegations and said efforts are being made to process the payments. 'Nothing Wrong Has Been Done' Speaking to NDTV, James Healy-Pratt, Aviation Partner, Keystone Law, London, who is leading the legal effort, countered the claim and said, "In my view, and having spoken with a lot of British families, I can see nothing that has been done wrong by Air India or their insurers." James Healy-Pratt and Owen Hanna from UK-based Keystone Law, along with aviation experts from the US-based Wisner Law Firm, are leading the legal effort. A similar case will be filed against Air India in the High Court in London. According to Stewarts, the UK's largest litigation-only law firm, families of the victims alleged that they are being forced to fill out a questionnaire "in intense heat with no guidance on the terms and questions within it". Mr Healy-Pratt, however, said He was in contact with the London lawyers for Air India and their insurers yesterday, and I made the same point. "Look, let's concentrate on helping the families process the a non-issue. There's no point driving between families and Air India. I mean, why would one do that?" 'Focus Primarily On Air India, Boeing' "The focus is primarily on Air India and aircraft manufacturer (Boeing) has had a checkered past over the last decade," he said. Mr Healy-Pratt pointed out the whistle-blowing issues that have surrounded Boeing for several years. "The Boeing 737-Max's, the deferred prosecution in the United States and billions of dollars of more importantly, it's the consensus among the deployment of Ram Air Turbine (RAT)...Now we don't know at what point, we are assuming it was probably just past the rotation." Ram Air Turbine or RAT - a small propeller-like device is deployed automatically when there is a dual-engine failure or total electronic or hydraulic failure. He said that there are 10 reasons for the deployment of RAT if we look at the Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM), adding that there are three primary reasons: Double engine failure, an electric failure or a hydraulic failure. He said, "That's bad news if you've just taken the question is what caused the RAT to deploy." The legal expert said the preliminary report will provide some indication about what added that there is consensus that there was a loss of thrust. The planned lawsuits would be separate from any other efforts Tata Sons, which owns Air India, might be making to support or compensate the victims' families, including financial help. The Montreal Convention 1999 establishes airline liability in the case of death or injury to passengers, as well as in cases of delay, damage or loss of baggage and cargo. Air India would need to fully meet the compensation norms of the Montreal Convention in financially supporting the families of those who have been killed in the crash.
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
Furore over Air India's compensation form explained
Amid the furore over compensation forms, Air India has defended the questionnaire as a routine procedure to determine compensation, while victims' families and lawyers express concerns. The form includes questions about the deceased passenger's employment, income, and dependents. Under the Montreal Convention, Air India is obligated to pay approximately Rs 1.8 crore to each affected family, with an advance payment of Rs 25 lakh. Lawyers are cautious about sharing detailed information, fearing it might impact the final compensation. The report also mentions the possibility of future legal action, pending the investigation's outcome to determine liability between Air India and Boeing.
