Latest news with #Aircraft


Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
AI171 crash: Centre issued nine notices to Air India for safety violations in six months; investigation under way
Air India 171 crash NEW DELHI: Over the last six months, Air India has received nine show cause notices linked to five different safety violations, according to minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol in the Rajya Sabha. Enforcement action has been completed in one case, while investigations continue into others. A major focus of concern is the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. The aircraft went down into a medical hostel complex near the airport, leaving just one survivor out of the 241 people on board. The director general of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has ordered a formal investigation under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017. A preliminary report, published after a month of the incident, outlines initial findings, including mid-air engine failure, cockpit confusion, and failed recovery attempts within seconds of takeoff. — ANI (@ANI) Union civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu addressed the issue on the first day of the Parliament's Monsoon Session, reaffirming the government's commitment to a thorough probe. Despite the incident, MoS Mohol mentioned that no adverse reliability trends have been found in recent reports related to the crashed aircraft. The full investigation is ongoing to determine the root causes and contributory factors behind the deadly crash.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business Standard
Too early to draw conclusions: AAIB on Air India plane crash probe
Speculation in sections of the foreign media regarding the cause of the Air India (A-I) flight AI171 crash is 'unfounded' and 'premature', G V G Yugandhar, director-general of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), said on Thursday evening. This is the first public statement by Yugandhar since the June 12 crash of A-I's Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration VT-ANB), which killed 241 of the 242 people on board. Titled 'Appeal', his statement came hours after The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a report that pointed to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal turning off fuel switches moments before the crash. Citing people familiar with the US side of the investigation, WSJ said cockpit voice recordings indicate Sabharwal moved the fuel control switches to the 'cutoff' position after takeoff, triggering a surprised and panicked response from the First Officer Clive Kunder. The WSJ report said the US assessment was based on black box data and speculated on whether Sabharwal's actions were deliberate or accidental. It added that such details could lead US authorities to examine potential criminal liability had the crash occurred on American soil. Yugandhar on Thursday evening said, '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,' he said. The AAIB had released its preliminary report on July 12, which revealed that fuel supply to both engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. The two fuel control switches were moved to the 'cutoff' position in quick succession, and although they were turned back on about 10 seconds later, the engines had already flamed out. The report said that one pilot asked the other why he moved the switches, and the other responded by denying it. The report did not identify who said what. The AAIB report did not rule out technical faults and stated that aviation medicine and psychology experts were involved in the ongoing investigation. 'The purpose of the AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to provide information about what happened. At this stage, it is too early to reach any definite conclusions,' Yugandhar said on Thursday, urging the public and media to refrain from 'spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process'. He stressed that the AAIB was investigating the crash 'rigorously and most professionally' under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, which govern India's obligations under international aviation protocols, notably the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13. These rules lay down procedures for impartial, non-criminal investigations focused on safety improvement rather than blame. Yugandhar also underlined AAIB's track record, noting that it had investigated 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents since its inception in 2012. He called the AI171 crash 'the most devastating accident in recent aviation history'. He said it had 'understandably drawn public attention and shock', but this was not the time 'to create public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian aviation industry, particularly based on unfounded facts'. He said, 'AAIB appeals to all concerned to await publication of the final investigation report after completion of the investigation. AAIB will also publish updates as and when required, which have technical and public interest.'


Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
No construction in 20-km radius of Noida airport without NOC
No constructions or tree planting is allowed within a 20-km radius of the Noida International Airport (NIA) without a Height Clearance No Objection Certificate (NOC) received from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the NIA has informed builders and local authorities on Friday. In a statement, the Noida airport said that the directives have been issued based on rules laid down by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2015 and enforced under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees) Rules, 2023. 'It requires all stakeholders, including builders, landowners, and government bodies, to obtain a Height No Objection Certificate from the AAI before initiating any vertical development within the prescribed limit,' read the statement. 'No construction activity, erection of structures, or tree plantation is permitted without a valid Height Clearance NOC from AAI,' Noida airport's chief operating officer (COO) Kiran Jain said in the statement. 'This is not merely a procedural requirement but a critical safeguard for aircraft operations and navigation systems,' she added. She further said that any kind of unauthorised construction or vegetation growth within the restricted airspace could breach Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), posing threat to flight safety and air traffic control systems. 'The enforcement framework includes legal provisions for demolition and penalties.' Jain said that all concerned parties must approach local bodies before initiating any vertical development within the 20-km perimeter. These bodies will consult the Colour-Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) issued by AAI to assess permissible height limits. Based on the proposed construction height, the applicant may be directed to apply for a Height NOC via AAI's NOCAS portal. Officials said the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations take precedence as NIA prepares to become a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region. 'Stakeholders are strongly advised to halt any unapproved development activities in the safeguarded zone immediately… Timely compliance is essential to avoid legal consequences and ensure smooth commissioning of the airport,' Jain said. Earlier this week, The Indian Express had reported that over 90% of the work at the airport has been completed, and the remaining tasks will likely be completed by September 30.


International Business Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- International Business Times
Secret Service Suspended Six Agents for Failing to Protect Trump During Assassination Attempt in Butler
Six Secret Service agents have been suspended over failures during the assassination attempt on President Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last year. The then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler on July 13, 2024, when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire in a bid to assassinate Trump. One bullet came close to hitting Trump, grazing his ear, while firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was attending the event, was shot dead. Secret Service countersnipers quickly shot dead the gunman. However, the agency faced intense scrutiny afterward over how Crooks managed to get so close to Trump, especially since he had been spotted in the area earlier. Punished for Their Failure As a result of the controversy, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was forced to resign. The disciplinary actions within the agency continued, with six agents recently being informed that they would be suspended for their actions on the day of the incident, according to ABC News. The six agents received suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days and will not receive pay during their time off, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn told CBS News on Wednesday. Although they will not be fired from the agency, the agents will be reassigned to positions with diminished operational duties once they return. "We aren't going to fire our way out of this," Quinn told the outlet. "We're going to focus on the root cause and fix the deficiencies that put us in that situation." "Secret Service is totally accountable for Butler," Quinn acknowledged. "Butler was an operational failure and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again." All six agents have now been suspended in accordance with federally required protocols, Quinn said. He also said that the Secret Service has introduced a new fleet of military-grade drones and set up mobile command centers. These upgrades enable agents to communicate directly with local law enforcement via radio — addressing a key weakness in the agency's handling of the assassination attempt. Eyewitnesses had explained that the presence of multiple command centers during the July rally caused confusion and led to a disorganized response. Investigation Leads to Suspensions A scathing Senate report released in September concluded that multiple foreseeable and preventable planning and operational failures by [Secret Service] contributed," which ultimately allowed Crooks to carry out the deadly attack. "These included unclear roles and responsibilities, insufficient coordination with state and local law enforcement, the lack of effective communications, and inoperable [Counter-Unmanned Aircraft] systems, among many others," the damning report read. Two months later, a second attempt on Trump's life occurred at his golf course in Palm Beach, Florida. Quinn insisted that the Secret Service takes "totally accountable for Butler." "Butler was an operational failure and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again," he said.


New York Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Secret Service suspends 6 agents assigned to protect Trump during Butler assassination attempt
Six members of the Secret Service have been suspended for failures related to last year's assassination attempt against President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa. The suspensions for the six agents ranged from 10 to 42 days, and they won't be paid while on leave, Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn told CBS News on Wednesday. The agents will not be fired, but upon return to work, they will be placed in roles with diminished operational responsibility. Advertisement 'We aren't going to fire our way out of this,' Quinn told the outlet. 'We're going to focus on the root cause and fix the deficiencies that put us in that situation.' 3 The suspensions were revealed nearly a year after the shooting. AP Trump was struck in the ear by one of the bullets fired by would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks on July 13, 2024, during a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show grounds, leaving the then presumptive Republican nominee for president bloodied. Advertisement Firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed shielding his family from Crooks' bullets, and two others were left with severe injuries before the 20-year-old gunman — positioned on an unguarded roof with a clear line of sight toward Trump — was taken out by a Secret Service sniper. A scathing Senate report on the assassination attempt released in September determined that 'multiple foreseeable and preventable planning and operational failures by [Secret Service] contributed' to Crooks' ability to carry out the deadly shooting. 'These included unclear roles and responsibilities, insufficient coordination with state and local law enforcement, the lack of effective communications, and inoperable [Counter-Unmanned Aircraft] systems, among many others,' the damning report read. 3 A Senate report on the assassination attempt partly blamed 'operational failures' by the Secret Service for the shooting. NY Post Advertisement 3 Crooks shot Trump in the ear, killed one person and injured 2 others when he opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024. Obtained by the NY Post A second assasination attempt against Trump took place two months later at the president's Palm Beach, Fla., golf course. Quinn insisted that the Secret Service is 'totally accountable for Butler.' 'Butler was an operational failure and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again,' he said. Advertisement The official noted that the agency now has a new fleet of drones and mobile command posts that let agents communicate over radio directly with local law enforcement. The Secret Service did not respond to The Post's request for comment.