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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
Air India crash probe: India permits ICAO expert to join as observer
India has decided to grant observer status to an expert from the United Nations aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in the investigation into the deadly Air India crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, news agency PTI reported. The ICAO had earlier sought observer status for its expert, which is not a common practice. Following internal deliberations, Indian authorities accepted the request. 'The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner,' an official said, as quoted by the report. According to the ICAO website, aircraft accident investigations are conducted in line with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which outlines the procedures and international standards — known as Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) — aimed at ensuring consistency and safety in global aviation. Air India crash in Ahmedabad The crash, one of the worst air disasters in India in decades, involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India flight AI 171. The aircraft was en route to London's Gatwick Airport when it crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar area shortly after takeoff. Of the 242 people onboard, 241 were killed, with only one survivor. The total death toll stood at 270, including casualties on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a probe after the tragedy and constituted a multidisciplinary team on June 13. The team includes representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an air traffic control officer, and an aviation medicine specialist. Black box analysis underway The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed on Thursday that data is being retrieved from the aircraft's black boxes. Both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) are under analysis as part of efforts to determine the cause of the crash. Parliament committee summons top officials Parliament's Transport Committee has summoned officials from Boeing as well as India's Civil Aviation Secretary, The Economic Times reported. The committee, led by Rajya Sabha MP and JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, aims to scrutinise the incident in detail, including the procurement process of the Boeing 787-8 and its suitability for Air India's operations. The panel will also hold discussions with key stakeholders such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India. Tata promises long-term family support Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced on Thursday that Tata Sons and Tata Trusts would jointly establish a dedicated trust to offer long-term assistance to families of those who lost their lives in the accident. The move is seen as part of Tata Group's broader humanitarian response, given its ownership of Air India. (With agency inputs)
Mint
21 hours ago
- General
- Mint
Indian authorities decide to accord observer status to ICAO expert in AI plane crash probe: Source
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Indian authorities have decided to accord observer status to UN body ICAO's expert in the ongoing probe into the fatal Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, a top official source said on Friday. In a not-so-common move, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sought observer status for its expert in the investigation. Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en-route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 people who were onboard the plane. One passenger survived. The probe into the crash is in progress. On Friday, the official source told PTI that after considering the request, it has been decided to accord the observer status to ICAO expert in the investigation. The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner, the official source emphasised. Further details could not be immediately ascertained. An aircraft accident investigation is carried out as per Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention. The International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) contained in the nineteen Technical Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also called Chicago Convention) are applied universally and produce a high degree of technical uniformity which has enabled international civil aviation to develop in a safe, orderly and efficient manner, as per ICAO website. SARPS have been developed by ICAO, which was established in 1944. On Thursday, the civil aviation ministry said data is being extracted from black boxes, and analysis of cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the crashed aircraft is underway. AAIB promptly initiated an investigation and constituted a multi-disciplinary team headed by the AAIB chief on June 13 in line with prescribed norms. The team includes an aviation medicine specialist, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ministry had said in a statement.
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's strength in air safety receives global acclaim
MUSCAT: Oman's strong track record in air safety received global acclaim when it scored 94.4 per cent in the implementation sustainability index and a perfect 100 per cent in the facilitation compliance index. These achievements placed Oman 4th globally among G20 nations and 3rd in the Middle East in aviation security. This came during the annual review of Civil Aviation Authority's milestones and global achievements on Wednesday in a press conference by Eng Nayef bin Ali al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Al Abri said these results reflect Oman's firm commitment to aviation security and readiness to maintain high compliance. The Authority will continue working with partners to implement audit recommendations and uphold international standards. The ICAO audit team praised Oman's inter-agency coordination, the competence of its national workforce and the effectiveness of its emergency security plans. Solidifying its status as a regional leader in aviation security Oman recorded outstanding results in the ICAO's Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA), conducted from February 9 to18, 2025. The audit assessed compliance with international aviation security standards outlined in the Chicago Convention. The audit covered eight core elements, including legislation, training, licensing, quality control and response to deficiencies. It also addressed nine key domains such as airport and aircraft security, passenger and cargo screening and prevention of unlawful acts. In line with Oman Vision 2040 and digital transformation goals, the CAA launched an upgraded version of the Oman Meteorology website and mobile app during the annual media meeting. The revamped platforms offer real-time, location-based weather updates with an intuitive user interface and a colour-coded alert system for severe conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, fog and high waves. Al Abri said the launch of the upgraded platforms represents a leap forward in the digital services and reflects a dedication to delivering precise, advanced services that empower the public to respond proactively to weather changes. Marking the 50th anniversary of Oman's membership in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the CAA launched a commemorative stamp. The stamp was jointly unveiled by Eng Nayef bin Ali al Abri, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Sayyid Nasr bin Badr al Busaidy, Chief Postmaster General at Oman Post.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Air India plane crash: Why are US investigators probing an air crash on Indian soil?
When Air India flight 171 crashed on Thursday, killing all 241 passengers and crew, the immediate response followed a predictable pattern. Emergency services rushed to the scene. Families gathered at airports. Media crews descended on Ahmedabad. But on Sunday (June 15), something that might puzzle casual observers was also happening: several international aviation agencies arrived in Ahmedabad to participate in the investigation of the tragedy. Among those who reached India were representatives of the United States' National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), its top transport accident investigation agency, as well as officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US civil aviation regulator, and the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This raises the obvious question: Why are foreign agencies, particularly from the US and the U.K., involved in investigating the crash of an Indian airline on Indian soil? The answer lies in a 78-year-old international agreement that governs nearly every aspect of how we fly. The Convention on International Civil Aviation, better known as the Chicago Convention, was signed in 1944 as World War II was drawing to a close. Its framers understood that aviation would connect the world in unprecedented ways, and that ensuring air safety would require shared global responsibility. Today, the Convention's technical standards are overseen by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN agency based in Montreal. All 193 member countries—including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom—have agreed to follow its rules. One of the most important of these is Annex 13, which lays out the international protocols for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents. Chapter 5 of Annex 13 outlines the core responsibilities for conducting such investigations. It clarifies that the goal is not to assign blame or liability, but to improve aviation safety by uncovering causes and preventing future accidents. Who can participate in the investigation? According to Chapter 5, the responsibility to investigate an aircraft accident lies with the 'State of Occurrence' — the country where the accident took place. In addition, other countries connected to the aircraft have a formal right to participate. These include the 'State of Registry' (where the aircraft is registered), the 'State of the Operator' (which operated the flight), the 'State of Design', and the 'State of Manufacture' (of the aircraft in question). Since the AI 171 air crash occurred on Indian soil, India holds the State of Occurrence right. The investigation into the accident is thus led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the government agency under India's Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and serious incidents. The 'State of the Operator', which refers to the country where the airline's principal place of business is located, is also India, as Air India operated the aircraft. The 'State of Registry' is India as well; Air India's Boeing aircraft carry Indian registration markings that begin with VT, following national regulations. However, both the 'State of Design' and the 'State of Manufacture' in this case are the United States. The aircraft was manufactured by Boeing and has engines made by General Electric, both American firms. Thus, US agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are entitled to participate in the investigation, under ICAO Annex 13. The manufacturer, such as Boeing, may also send its own experts as part of the NTSB's accredited team. The UK's representatives have joined the investigation since 53 British nationals were on board AI 171, all of whom died. All participants in the investigation are entitled to visit the crash site, examine the wreckage and evidence, make technical submissions, and receive the final report. A practical necessity, with a precedent This isn't overreach—it's a practical necessity. The aim is to ensure a thorough, technically sound investigation, with all relevant stakeholders contributing to uncover the root cause and enhance global aviation safety. It reflects the principle that air safety is a shared international responsibility, especially in an era where aircraft design, technology, and manufacturing are deeply globalised, and a single aircraft model flies for dozens of airlines across six continents. A lesson learned from a crash in India might prevent an accident in Indonesia. A design flaw discovered in Delhi could save lives in Detroit. This is why foreign investigators pack their bags and rush to crash sites around the world—not because they're interfering, but because modern aviation safety depends on sharing knowledge across borders. India has seen this protocol in action before. When Air India Express Flight 812 crashed in Mangalore in 2010, the NTSB provided technical assistance at the request of Indian authorities. Ritika Chopra, an award-winning journalist with over 17 years of experience, serves as the Chief of the National Bureau (Govt) and National Education Editor at The Indian Express in New Delhi. In her current role, she oversees the newspaper's coverage of government policies and education. Ritika closely tracks the Union Government, focusing on the politically sensitive Election Commission of India and the Education Ministry, and has authored investigative stories that have prompted government responses. Ritika joined The Indian Express in 2015. Previously, she was part of the political bureau at The Economic Times, India's largest financial daily. Her journalism career began in Kolkata, her birthplace, with the Hindustan Times in 2006 as an intern, before moving to Delhi in 2007. Since then, she has been reporting from the capital on politics, education, social sectors, and the Election Commission of India. ... Read More
Jordan News
15-06-2025
- Jordan News
Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Decides to Reopen Jordanian Airspace - Jordan News
Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Decides to Reopen Jordanian Airspace Captain Haitham Misto, Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), announced on Sunday that Jordan has reopened its airspace to civil aviation traffic following a risk assessment conducted by the Commission. اضافة اعلان He emphasized that the closure decisions taken since the onset of the recent events were tactical and temporary, aimed at addressing specific short-term concerns. In a statement to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Misto noted that the Commission continues to closely monitor developments in the region and assess their potential risks to civil aviation, in order to make informed decisions regarding the continued opening or possible closure of the airspace. He added that airlines have been notified of the decision to reopen the airspace so they can resume scheduled flights and redirect those previously diverted to alternate destinations back to Amman. Misto stressed that the Commission will make appropriate decisions regarding air traffic based on ongoing developments and their impact on civil aviation, prioritizing the safety of travelers. The Commission had temporarily closed Jordan's airspace on Saturday evening, suspending all incoming, outgoing, and transiting flights as a precaution due to the escalating regional tensions. Misto explained that the closure decision aligns with international civil aviation safety agreements, including the Chicago Convention, which governs rules of air navigation and flight safety. He reaffirmed that airspace safety and the safety of passengers remain top priorities for the Commission, and that all decisions are made within its precautionary protocols. — (Petra)
