Latest news with #AirIndiaFlightAI171
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in the wake of Air India crash report
International Air Transport Association director general Willie Walsh emphasised the need for air accident investigations to be conducted fully and properly. SINGAPORE - There is a strong argument to be made for video recorders to be installed in aircraft cockpits to aid in accident investigations, said International Air Transport Association chief Willie Walsh, in his first comments about an interim report on the Air India crash in June that killed 260 people . 'Based on what little we know now, it's quite possible that a video recording, in addition to the voice recording, would significantly assist the investigators,' said Mr Walsh on July 16 in an interview with Singapore media. Pilot unions have long resisted calls for cockpit video recording, citing concerns over privacy and potential misuse. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations, for instance, said it was sceptical that confidentiality of such recordings could ever be fully guaranteed, according to a July 16 report by Reuters. Mr Walsh, a former pilot turned airline chief executive , said he can understand the reluctance among flight crew to have video cameras installed in the cockpit. But the head of Iata, a global airline trade body representing some 350 carriers, emphasised the need for air accident investigations to be conducted fully and properly. 'Our industry has always been very open in sharing information,' he added. Mr Walsh also called on governments to publish accident reports in a timely manner in line with international obligations. 'I think we would all benefit from the publication of these reports so that we can assess them and learn from any issues that are relevant to the rest of the industry,' he said. The debate on whether video cameras should be installed in airplane cockpits was reignited after the release of the preliminary report on the ill-fated Air India Flight AI171 on July 11. The report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) raised questions about the movement of the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 jet, which were toggled to the cutoff position one after the other seconds after takeoff , shutting down both of the plane's engines. The AAIB shared a snippet from the cockpit voice recording, noting that one of the pilots was heard asking the other why he cut off fuel to the engines. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. The report did not say how or why the fuel switches were moved. The AAIB report also flagged a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which recommended the inspection of the locking feature of fuel switches of several Boeing models. This prompted airlines around the world, including national carrier Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot , to carry out precautionary checks in the days after the report's release. Mr Walsh commended the AAIB for the release of its interim report, which he said contained more information about the crash than most people were expecting. He said it was sensible for airlines to check the fuel switches on their Boeing aircraft despite there being no formal recommendation from the US aircraft maker to do so. Switching gears, the Iata chief also addressed questions about the impact of trade tariffs, which he said may lead to airlines being reluctant to take delivery of new aircraft, given the uncertainty over how this will affect the cost of planes 'We'll wait and see... It'll impact all aspects of the aerospace industry and have an impact on most, if not all, airlines as well,' he added. Mr Walsh was in Singapore to attend a series of high-level aviation meetings held in the city-state over the week. He was also taken on a visit to the development site of the upcoming Terminal 5 (T5), which will take Changi Airport's handling capacity to 140 million passengers yearly, up from 90 million today, when it opens in the mid-2030s. Mr Walsh said he was impressed by the design and thinking behind the future mega-terminal, noting the investments being made in innovation and technology, and the planning that has been done to ensure minimal connection times for passengers. 'Some of the work that I see Changi undertaking... ultimately will benefit everybody in the industry, in the areas of automation and AI (artificial intelligence ),' he added. Mr Walsh said the team at Changi Airport has a 'laser focus' on the cost of the T5 development, revealing that the multi-billion dollar project is 'significantly under budget'. 'Critically, everything they're doing is to ensure that they do it in a cost-effective manner, so that the charges that airlines and ultimately the passenger faces are being controlled,' he said. Rising fees at Changi Airport have been a bugbear among airlines here, and it was cited as a factor behind the demise of low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia . Asked if there is a place for budget carriers at Changi and other high-cost airports, Mr Walsh said he does not agree that the low-cost airline model is dead, but there are certain airports where it may not make sense. He cited London's Heathrow Airport as one example, noting the cost of operations and lack of access to takeoff and landing slots there. Mr Walsh said the fact that some airlines are categorised as budget or low-cost does not automatically ensure their financial success. 'We are a very competitive industry,' he added.
Khaleej Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Air India plane crash investigation: Lawyers oppose sending black box abroad
A group of Indian lawyers has strongly opposed the possible transfer of the black box and flight data recorder from Air India Flight AI 171 to foreign entities, warning that such a move could compromise the transparency and independence of the investigation. In a formal representation sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India, and Boeing India, the lawyers have urged that the investigation remain entirely under Indian jurisdiction. Khaleej Times has reviewed the document, signed by advocate Vivek Agarwal on behalf of 12 Supreme Court and Delhi High Court lawyers, including Dr Saif Mahmood, Ishita Garg, and Agarwal himself. On June 12, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The disaster killed 241 people, including nearly all on board and 19 on the ground, making it the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft entered service in 2011. The lawyers argue that any involvement by Boeing in analysing the black box data presents a conflict of interest. 'Allowing the black box to be sent to the very manufacturer whose equipment is under scrutiny risks an egregious conflict of interest and creates serious apprehensions of suppression, manipulation, or loss of crucial evidence,' the representation states. They cite growing global scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing standards and safety practices, particularly following investigations and whistleblower claims related to its 737 MAX and other models. The representation also emphasises that the crash investigation is governed by India's Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 and falls squarely under Indian jurisdiction. Citing Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Convention, the lawyers stress that India, as the state of occurrence, holds primary responsibility for the probe. While cooperation with the United States, as the state of manufacture, is standard under ICAO norms, they argue it must take place strictly under Indian oversight. Any transfer of the black box abroad, especially without a bilateral legal framework, could undermine the investigation's credibility and complicate legal admissibility. The lawyers assert that India has the technical expertise to analyse the recorders. If Boeing requires access, they say, the company should send its experts and tools to India. 'The proper course is for such entities to send their experts and tools to India… rather than extract critical forensic evidence outside the jurisdiction,' the letter states. They also call for strict chain-of-custody protocols if Boeing personnel access the recorders in India. 'Black box — heart of the truth' Dr Saif Mahmood, one of the lead signatories, said, 'The black box is not merely a technical instrument but the heart of the truth behind this tragedy. Every second of data it holds may speak for those who cannot speak anymore. Allowing this vital evidence to be removed from Indian soil, especially to a manufacturer facing global questions about its safety practices, risks undermining the faith that Indian citizens place in their democratic institutions to deliver justice independently and transparently.' Farhat Ali Khan, who is a partner of Dr Saif Mahmood at CMI & Co Legal LLP, New Delhi, and CMI Legal Consultancy in the UAE, said: 'This is a question of sovereignty and institutional dignity. Given recent concerns about Boeing's manufacturing and safety record, entrusting critical evidence to them could erode public trust in the investigation, particularly for a public sector entity like Air India.' Khan also added, "Families of the victims must receive exemplary compensation that upholds their dignity and reflects their full legal rights, both under the Montreal Convention and beyond. They should not be pressured into early settlements without a clear understanding of their entitlements and legal options.' Last month, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a formal inquiry into the crash on June 13. A multidisciplinary team was formed, including representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as per ICAO guidelines. The black boxes were recovered and flown to Delhi. Data extraction began on June 24 at the AAIB lab in the presence of Indian and NTSB experts. The memory modules were successfully retrieved, and analysis is underway. The ministry said all procedures are being conducted in accordance with Indian law and international obligations.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Air India crash LIVE: The Brits onboard the doomed plane including couple with daughter, 4, as 290 killed in tragedy
Brit mum-of-three feared dead Raxa Modha, of Wellingborough, Northants., and her grandson, Rudra, were also on the flight and are feared to be among the dead. They were returning to the UK ahead of a service for her late husband, Kishor. Wellingborough mayor Raj Mishra said: "My heart is heavy as I reflect on the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. "The loss of 242 lives, including 53 British nationals, is a tragedy beyond words. "Among those lost were Raxa Modha, Rudra Modha, and Ms. K. Mistri, all from our #Wellingborough community. "I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event. "May their memories be a blessing, and may we come together to support one another in this time of grief."
BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Verified video show how Air India plane come down moments before e crash
One video wey show di moment one London-bound Air India flight crash for India now don dey verified. BBC Verify don geolocate Air India flight AI171 go di location for Ahmedabad wey dey consistent wit di path di flight follow between di runway and di crash site. Di way di aircraft appear for di footage dey consistent wit di Air India plane. More on dis tori dey here.
