Latest news with #AAIBRules
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
U.S. NTSB chair calls media reports on Air India crash ‘speculative, premature'
The United States National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said on Friday (July 18, 2025) that recent media reports on the crash of an Air India Boeing Dreamliner that killed 260 people were premature and speculative. A preliminary investigation released last week by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found confusion in the cockpit shortly before the June 12 crash, and raised fresh questions over the position of the critical engine fuel cutoff switches. Also read |The preliminary report on the AI 171 crash is notably brief and lacking in technical transparency, says aviation expert U.S. media reports have provided speculative theories on the fuel control switches being turned off. GE Aerospace, Boeing, Air India, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and AAIB did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ms. Homendy said investigations of this magnitude take time, and that the NTSB will continue to support AAIB's ongoing probe. This came following AAIB's public appeal issued on Thursday (July 17) noting a strong appeal to the public and media, raising concerns about 'selective and unverified reporting' by certain international outlets in the aftermath of the crash. The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, reaffirmed that the investigation into the Air India crash is being conducted in a 'rigorous and most professional manner in accordance with the AAIB Rules and international protocols.' The Bureau cautioned that the high-profile nature of the tragedy has 'drawn public attention and shock,' but emphasised, 'it needs to be appreciated that this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts.' 'It is essential to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by family members of deceased passengers, crew of the aircraft and other deceased persons on the ground. It has come to our attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. Such actions are irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing. We urge both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process,' the letter read. The Bureau reiterated that the objective of its investigation and preliminary report is to state 'WHAT happened'. It clarified that at this stage, 'it is too early to reach any definite conclusions,' and the final report will be published only after the investigation is complete, including the identification of 'root causes and recommendations'.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
AAIB slams global media for ‘irresponsible' reporting based on selective, unverified claims
The chief of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) issued an appeal Thursday, urging the public and the media to 'refrain from spreading premature narratives' around the ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12. In a public appeal, AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar said that sections of the international media are 'repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting', and termed it 'irresponsible' as the investigation is still on. Reports by a few US-based publications have suggested that deliberate action by one of the pilots was most likely the cause of the crash in which 260 persons perished—241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. Yugandhar said that the preliminary report only attempts to only provide information on what happened in the crash, and that it is too early to arrive at any definite conclusions, adding that the final report will contain the root causes of the crash. This is Yugandhar's first public statement since the fatal air crash, and comes at a time when speculation is rife over the probable causes of the accident—the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in four decades. 'While the accident of this dimension has drawn public attention and shock, however, it needs to be appreciated that this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts,' Yugandhar said. The AAIB DG also said that the AAIB will also publish updates of technical and public interest 'as and when required'. Scarce flow of official information, absence of regular updates and briefings on the investigation were flagged by a number of experts and industry watchers. According to the AAIB chief, the investigation into the crash—'the most devastating accident in recent aviation history'—is being undertaken in a 'rigorous and most professional manner' as per AAIB Rules and international protocols. 'It is essential to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by family members of deceased passengers, crew of the aircraft and other deceased persons on ground. It has come to our attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. Such actions are irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing. We urge both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process,' Yugandhar said. The AAIB's preliminary investigation report, released a month after the accident, said that the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed after both its engines were starved of fuel as the two fuel control switches transitioned from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other moments after lift-off. From the cockpit voice recorder data, the preliminary probe report notes that one of the pilots asked the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded saying he did not. To be sure, the report doesn't mention that fuel control switches—which allow and cut fuel flow to the plane's engines—moved physically, and uses the term 'transitioned' to describe the change of mode from RUN to CUTOFF. It also does not state these were moved by either of the pilots. However, the selective information presented in the report had many believing that it implicitly pointed a finger at the pilots. 'The purpose of the AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to provide information about 'WHAT' happened. The preliminary report has to be seen in this light. At this stage, it is too early to reach to any definite conclusions. The investigation…is still not complete. The Final Investigation Report will come out with root causes and recommendations,' he added. Top officials of the aviation ministry, experts, and industry insiders maintained that jumping to any conclusion at this early stage of the investigation just based on limited information in the initial report wouldn't be appropriate. There is a long way to go for the investigation and a lot could change as the probe progresses over the coming months, they said. The report, too, clearly mentions the disclaimer that it is based on 'preliminary facts and evidence', and that the information it contains is 'preliminary and subject to change'. According to experts, the investigators should now focus on unearthing the cause behind the transitioning of the fuel control switches, which are used to allow and cut fuel supply to the engines. There is considerable speculation on whether the switches were flicked by one of the pilots—inadvertently or otherwise—or whether the transition signal to the system was due to any technical, mechanical, or software issue. The report did not issue any recommendation to other operators of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft and its GE engines, suggesting that at this stage, the investigators do not have a reason to believe that there was any issue with the plane or its engines. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
AI 171 crash: AAIB slams 'irresponsible conclusions' after US media claims says Captain 'turned off fuel switches'
NEW DELHI: Following constant media reports in the west on Air India AI 171 crash that squarely point the blame on the captain of the doomed aircraft based on information from US authorities, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday called out this 'irresponsible' drawing of 'conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. ' The bureau issued this statement after The WSJ in its latest report on the issue said, '…captain turned off switches that controlled fuel flowing to the plane's two engines' accidentally or deliberately, citing people familiar with US officials' early assessment of evidence uncovered in the crash investigation. 'The first officer who was flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner asked the more-experienced captain why he moved the switches to the 'cutoff' position after it climbed off the runway, these people said. The first officer expressed surprise and then panicked, these people said, while the captain seemed to remain calm,' the WSJ report adds. TOI has not independently verified these claims. While promising regular updates into the probe, AAIB said Thursday: 'Certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. Such actions are irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing… essential to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by family members of deceased passengers, crew of the aircraft and other deceased persons on ground. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo ' 'The purpose of AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to provide information about 'WHAT' happened. The preliminary report has to be seen in this light. At this stage, it is too early to reach to any definite conclusions. The investigation by AAIB is still not complete. The final investigation report will come out with root causes and recommendations ,' AAIB said. The AAIB's prelim report has been panned by experts and pilots for selective indirect quoting of the cockpit voice recorder and on several other grounds. Many seasoned aviators in India say the prelim report seems to predictably shield the original equipment manufacturer (Boeing, in this case) while putting the blame squarely on a pilot who is no longer around to defend himself. AAIB has now defended itself after drawing massive flak since last Saturday: 'AAIB has a flawless record in investigating 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents since its inception in 2012… The VT-ANB (AI 171) accident has been the most devastating accident in recent aviation history and the investigation is being undertaken in a rigorous and most professional manner in accordance with the AAIB Rules and international protocols… not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian aviation industry, particularly on basis of unfounded facts. ' There has been a massive outcry against the prelim report which has spawned the suicide theory. Perhaps in a damage control move, Union aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu hours after its release last Saturday urged people not to 'jump to conclusions' and 'wait for the final (probe) report.' Air India MD & CEO has said the report has 'opened additional questions' and also requested 'everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over. ' After the first Boeing 737MAX of Indonesia's Lion Air crash in October 2019 also, fingers were pointed at pilot — one of who was an Indian — error. It took a second B737 MAX crash, of Ethiopian barely five months later in March 2019, that led to discovery of a major flaw in a software of the plane and led to its global grounding. To be fair, the B787 Dreamliner has had its share of technical issues but had never seen a crash since it started flying in Dec 2009, till June 12, 2025. While there is no information apart from the prelim report in India — where the crash happened on an Indian carrier — US authorities have been speaking to the media and giving out alleged information that seems to be giving a clean chit to compatriot Boeing while blaming the dead Indian pilot. The preliminary report had identified that first officer Clive Kunder was the pilot flying the doomed AI 171 while Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was the pilot monitoring. Without mentioning who said what, the report had said: ''One of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.' It was generally inferred that the pilot flying had his hands full and so the one monitoring could have toggled the switch. Now the WSJ report quotes 'people familiar with the matter' that the Captain had turned off the switches. 'The report didn't say whether turning off the switches might have been accidental or deliberate,' the latest news report says. 'The preliminary details have fuelled the belief among some US officials that criminal authorities should review the matter, as would likely be the case if the crash had occurred on American soil, people familiar with the matter said. In the US, accident investigators historically have involved agencies such as the FBI if they believe a potential crime occurred, rather than a safety mishap,' the WSJ says. 'Contents of the flight's cockpit voice recorders have been tightly held by Indian authorities and seen as key to helping fill out the sequence of events in the flight's final moments. Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the US National Transportation Safety Board, has sought to listen to the recording herself, according to people familiar with the matter,' it adds. Homendy's goal, according to WSJ, in working with Indian authorities was 'to quickly determine whether the crash presented any immediate safety concerns to the traveling public.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
New Indian Express
22-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Stitching together evidence in Air India plane crash to be tedious process; probe may take time: Former AAIB DG
Q. How much time do you envisage that the investigation into the Air India plane crash Ahmedabad would take? Annexe 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as well as AAIB Rules mandate that any investigation should preferably be completed in less than a year. Our investigators' endeavour to complete an investigation as quickly as possible so that remedial actions are instituted quickly through DGCA to avoid any recurrence. However, going by the visuals of this accident, you would appreciate that this aircraft has been very badly damaged by fire. Therefore, corroborating and stitching together the evidences would be a tedious process. In all probability and in fairness, the investigation is likely to be a long-drawn process. Q. How are the probable causes zeroed in during an aircraft accident investigation? Deep and detailed examination of meaningful evidences is a time-consuming process. After analysing the data from the recorders, the investigators narrow down to the most probable systems and/or sub-systems that could have malfunctioned and/or contributed in a malfunction. Step by step, each of the suspected causes for the accident are examined deeply and the unlikely causes are ruled out which is a rigorous process. Basically, the process is driven by the 'method of elimination'. It is akin to a physician going through pathological reports, X-Ray/MRI or other test reports before coming to a conclusion. is the main aim of an aircraft crash investigation? As per Annex 13 of ICAO and AAIB Rules 2012 (as amended from time to time), the aim of the investigation is to find out the most probable root cause but not to apportion blame or liability.
