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RNZ News
13-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Air India crash preliminary report brings little comfort for victims' families
By ABC South Asia bureau chief Meghna Bali and Bhat Burhan in Ahmedabad, India An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport, in Ahmedabad on 13 June, 2025. Investigators recovered a black box recorder from the crash site. Photo: AFP/ Sam Panthaky An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport, in Ahmedabad on 13 June, 2025. One month after Air India Flight 171 crashed into a hostel at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College, killing 260 people, including children and entire families, key questions remain unanswered. The disaster left behind scorched buildings and devastated lives. A month on from the fatal Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, the site of the collision remains blackened. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan On Saturday, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary report , confirming that both fuel control switches were moved to "cut off" just seconds after take-off, shutting down the engines and causing the Boeing 787 to lose thrust. But the report does not explain how or why the switches were moved, offering little clarity or comfort to the families left behind. In a narrow alley in Ahmedabad, 32-year-old Ravi Thakor sits on a wooden cot inside his modest home, scrolling through old videos of his daughter playing. Today would have been her second birthday. Ravi Thakor, left, says he learned about the nature of the fatal crash that killed his daughter and mother via social media. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan Instead of celebrating, Thakor is mourning his daughter Aadhya and his mother Sarla Ben, who were both killed when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel mess where she worked. "I learnt from social media that both engines shut down and there was something wrong with the fuel," he told the ABC. The preliminary report said both fuel switches were cut off just seconds after take-off, then switched back on, but the engines never recovered enough power before the plane slammed into the ground. Ravi Thakor's father, Prahlad Thakor, who lost his wife and granddaughter. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been cut off, and the other replying that he hadn't done it. Thakor said the findings were confusing and only deepened his questions. "There will be many like us who are not that educated and don't understand what has been written [in the report]," he said. "This was an international flight with many experts involved with it. Still no-one picked up on such a huge mistake. The final report must explain it. They have a responsibility - so many lives were lost." Framed photographs in the Thakor home, in tribute to Aadhya and Sarla Ben Thakor, who were killed in the crash. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan Thakor said the trauma of that night still haunted him. "A whole iron cupboard melted in the area my mum used to cook in. Imagine what would happen to a person," he said. "We have seen the charred bodies with our eyes. We have felt it. I can still smell the stench; it's in my nose. How would it have been for them?" Not far from Thakor's home, another family is grappling with the same grief. BS Saiyad lost his brother Inayat, as well as Inayat's wife, son and daughter, in the crash. He, too, has read the preliminary findings, and finds them contradictory. BS Saiyad, who lost his brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece in the crash, says he also found the preliminary report confusing. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan "It seems like the pilot is being blamed. But the way the report is set out, it also looks like the pilot is innocent," Saiyad said. "If this investigation is to be done transparently, there can't be any prejudice." Aviation experts say the design of the fuel cut-off switches makes an accidental error unlikely. B S Saiyad is calling for complete transparency in a final report into the crash, to determine exactly what caused the fatal incident. Photo: ABC News: Bhat Burhan Guard brackets prevent the switches from being knocked or moved into the off position by mistake, and a stop-lock mechanism requires pilots to lift the switch before changing its position. The report outlined the sequence of events: the fuel switches moved to cut-off almost simultaneously, power was lost, the switches were reset, but by then the aircraft was too low to recover. As for a possible mechanical fault, the AAIB says there is no evidence at this stage to recommend changes for Boeing or GE, the engine manufacturer. The 56-year-old commanding pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, and his 32-year-old co-pilot, Clive Kunder, had a combined 9000 hours of flight time on the 787. Both were rested and breath-tested before take-off. Air India says it's cooperating fully with the investigation. The Indian civil aviation minister has urged the public to be patient. "Let's not jump to any conclusions at this stage," Ram Mohan Naidu said. "Let us wait for the final report." As investigators continue analysing flight data, wreckage, post-mortem reports and witness statements, the final report could take months. For families like the Thakors and the Saiyads, however, the preliminary findings offer little solace. "If this report means that future lives can be saved it's a good thing. But it's not going to make a difference to us," Saiyad said. "Sometimes I dream about calling Inayat and stopping him from leaving." On what should have been a day of celebration, Thakor spent his daughter's second birthday looking at her photos and videos, still asking why she had to die. "We thought this year we'd take her to the temple … let her grandparents bless her," he said quietly. "But now, she's gone." - ABC
ABC News
12-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Air India crash preliminary report brings little comfort for victims' families
One month after Air India Flight 171 crashed into a hostel at Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College, killing 260 people, including children and entire families, key questions remain unanswered. The disaster left behind scorched buildings and devastated lives. On Saturday, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary report, confirming that both fuel control switches were moved to "cut off" just seconds after take-off, shutting down the engines and causing the Boeing 787 to lose thrust. But the report does not explain how or why the switches were moved, offering little clarity or comfort to the families left behind. In a narrow alley in Ahmedabad, 32-year-old Ravi Thakor sits on a wooden cot inside his modest home, scrolling through old videos of his daughter playing. Today would have been her second birthday. Instead of celebrating, Mr Thakor is mourning his daughter Aadhya and his mother Sarla Ben, who were both killed when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel mess where she worked. "I learnt from social media that both engines shut down and there was something wrong with the fuel," he told the ABC. The preliminary report said both fuel switches were cut off just seconds after take-off, then switched back on, but the engines never recovered enough power before the plane slammed into the ground. Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been cut off, and the other replying that he hadn't done it. Mr Thakor says the findings are confusing and only deepen his questions. "There will be many like us who are not that educated and don't understand what has been written [in the report]," he said. Mr Thakor says the trauma of that night still haunts him. "A whole iron cupboard melted in the area my mum used to cook in. Imagine what would happen to a person," he said. "We have seen the charred bodies with our eyes. We have felt it. I can still smell the stench; it's in my nose. How would it have been for them?" Not far from Mr Thakor's home, another family is grappling with the same grief. BS Saiyad lost his brother Inayat, as well as Inayat's wife and daughter, in the crash. He, too, has read the preliminary findings, and finds them contradictory. "It seems like the pilot is being blamed. But the way the report is set out, it also looks like the pilot is innocent," Mr Saiyad said. "If this investigation is to be done transparently, there can't be any prejudice." Aviation experts say the design of the fuel cut-off switches makes an accidental error unlikely. Guard brackets prevent the switches from being knocked or moved into the off position by mistake, and a stop-lock mechanism requires pilots to lift the switch before changing its position. The report outlined the sequence of events: the fuel switches moved to cut-off almost simultaneously, power was lost, the switches were reset, but by then the aircraft was too low to recover. As for a possible mechanical fault, the AAIB says there is no evidence at this stage to recommend changes for Boeing or GE, the engine manufacturer. The 56-year-old commanding pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, and his 32-year-old co-pilot, Clive Kunder, had a combined 9,000 hours of flight time on the 787. Both were rested and breath-tested before take-off. Air India says it's cooperating fully with the investigation. The Indian civil aviation minister has urged the public to be patient. "Let's not jump to any conclusions at this stage," Ram Mohan Naidu said. "Let us wait for the final report." As investigators continue analysing flight data, wreckage, post-mortem reports and witness statements, the final report could take months. For families like the Thakors and the Saiyads, however, the preliminary findings offer little solace. "Sometimes I dream about calling Inayat and stopping him from leaving." On what should have been a day of celebration, Mr Thakor spent his daughter's second birthday looking at her photos and videos, still asking why she had to die. "We thought this year we'd take her to the temple … let her grandparents bless her," he said quietly. "But now, she's gone."
News18
20-06-2025
- General
- News18
Tiffin Seller's Lunch Delivery Saves 80 Doctors From Ahmedabad Plane Crash; Loses Mother, Daughter
Last Updated: On June 12, Ravi Thakor, his wife, father, and a relative left the mess at 1 pm to deliver tiffin. Their daughter Aadhya stayed behind due to the heat For over 15 years, Ravi Thakor and his family have quietly served meals to doctors at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad's Asarwa. But June 12 brought a heartbreaking turn for the family—Thakor's mother and two-year-old daughter were among the victims of the Air India flight crash. In a tragic twist of fate, Thakor's simple act of kindness that day—insisting on delivering lunch to the hospital instead of having doctors come to the mess—ended up saving the lives of nearly 80 medical staff, moments before the crash occurred at 1:40 pm. Thakor's family has long been committed to preparing and serving food at the BJ Medical College hostel mess. On June 12, Ravi Thakor, his wife Lalita, his father Prahlad Thakor, and a relative departed the mess at 1 pm to deliver tiffin. Their two-year-old daughter, Aadhya, wished to accompany them, but they left her behind, concerned about the heat. Thakor's mother, Sarla Thakor, stayed back to cook at the mess. Thakor recounted the events with a heavy heart, 'She was crying and insisted on coming with us. So, when she finally calmed down, we quietly slipped out." 'It was our daily routine to fill the tiffin, deliver the food, wash the utensils, and prepare for the next day. But we couldn't take Aadhya along, especially with the heavy tiffin in the heat," Thakor added. However, everything changed at 1:40 pm when a massive explosion occurred, and Air India Flight 171 crashed into the mess building. Thakor said, 'They were busy with their daily work. But at 1:40 pm, everything changed. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion—flames and black smoke started rising. The flight had hit the mess building, the same place where I had left my mother and daughter. We rushed to the spot, but the police and others stopped us. Some doctors pointed out what might have happened." Hints from doctors suggested the grim reality. For two days, Ravi Thakor and Lalita clung to hope, praying that Sarla and Aadhya were missing, not dead. Their worst fears were confirmed on Thursday morning when the DNA report revealed that both had perished. 'We performed their last rites on Thursday. Our lives once revolved around serving food—now, all that remains is silence," Thakor said. The accident left an unbearable void for Thakor's family. The tiffin service that had been their means of helping others turned into the cause of their own tragedy. The police and administration are investigating the incident, and the family has been promised support. On June 12, Air India flight AI-171, en route to London with 242 people on board, crashed in Ahmedabad. The aircraft collided with a medical complex in the Meghaninagar area shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all passengers and crew except one, along with 29 individuals on the ground. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 20, 2025, 17:52 IST
Khaleej Times
19-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Indian canteen worker's hopes dashed, no second miracle in air crash
Ravi Thakor had been hoping his mother and two-year old daughter had escaped just before an Air India jet crashed into the building they were in. A week after one of the world's worst aviation disasters killed more than 270 people in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, Thakor's hopes were dashed when doctors matched his DNA on Wednesday with the remains of his mother Sarla and daughter Aadhya. A canteen worker in a college hostel, Thakor and other family members had left the hostel around 30 minutes before Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into the building. Sarla had stayed back, cooking and looking after Aadhya, who was asleep. Thakor and his wife Lalita searched for them in hospitals and the morgue after the crash. After not finding them for days, they said they were hoping for a "second miracle", referring to the lone passenger aboard the plane who survived the disaster. On Thursday, the dead bodies were handed over to Thakor's family for the final rites. "We are going to cremate my mother and daughter. It is very difficult for me to say anything right now, but at least we know what happened to them," Thakor said, struggling to speak. At least 211 DNA samples had been matched, and 189 dead bodies handed over to families, Rakesh Joshi, the medical superintendent at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital told reporters on Thursday.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- General
- Reuters
Indian canteen worker's hopes dashed, no second miracle in air crash
AHMEDABAD, India, June 19 (Reuters) - Ravi Thakor had been hoping his mother and two-year old daughter had escaped just before an Air India jet crashed into the building they were in. A week after one of the world's worst aviation disasters killed more than 270 people in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, Thakor's hopes were dashed when doctors matched his DNA on Wednesday with the remains of his mother Sarla and daughter Aadhya. A canteen worker in a college hostel, Thakor and other family members had left the hostel around 30 minutes before Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into the building. Sarla had stayed back, cooking and looking after Aadhya, who was asleep. Thakor and his wife Lalita searched for them in hospitals and the morgue after the crash. After not finding them for days, they said they were hoping for a "second miracle", referring to the lone passenger aboard the plane who survived the disaster. On Thursday, the dead bodies were handed over to Thakor's family for the final rites. "We are going to cremate my mother and daughter. It is very difficult for me to say anything right now, but at least we know what happened to them," Thakor said, struggling to speak. At least 211 DNA samples had been matched, and 189 dead bodies handed over to families, Rakesh Joshi, the medical superintendent at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital told reporters on Thursday. The dead included 241 people on board the plane and at least 30 on the ground.
