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Business Standard
8 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)


Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
DGCA puts in place special audit framework for '360-degree' evaluation of Indian aviation ecosystem
Regulator DGCA has put in place a special audit framework for a "360-degree" evaluation of the country's aviation ecosystem and transcend the current practice of siloed assessment. The move comes a week after the fatal crash of Air India's Ahmedabad-London Gatwick aircraft soon after takeoff that killed 241 people onboard as well as many others on the ground. In a detailed circular dated June 19, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said a comprehensive special framework to assess aviation ecosystem and strengthen aviation safety architecture is being put in place. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo "Traditionally, regulatory and safety oversight functions within Indian aviation have been conducted in silos, with different directorates performing inspections and audits specific to their respective domains," it said. Against this backdrop, DGCA emphasised that the comprehensive special audit is designed to transcend existing siloed assessments and will focus on examining the safety management systems (SMS), operational practices, and regulatory adherence across all aviation domains. Live Events "The goal is to generate a 360-degree evaluation of the aviation ecosystem, reflecting both its strengths and areas needing improvement," the watchdog said. The special audits will be applicable to scheduled, non-scheduled, and private air operators, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organisations, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), Aerodrome Operators, and Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs). By adopting a risk-based and integrated approach, DGCA said these audits will proactively identify systemic vulnerabilities, enhance resilience, and ensure strict adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the country's national aviation objectives. These audits will be in addition to the regulatory audits carried out as per the Annual Surveillance Programme. The audits will be carried out by multi-disciplinary teams led by senior DGCA official (DDG/Director) as the lead auditor. The official will be supported by specialists from Flight Standards, Air Safety, Airworthiness, Airspace & Air Navigation Services, Licensing, and Aerodrome Standards directorates. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets.