Yashpal Singh Vansadia, whose parents perished in the Ahmedabad plane crash, has voiced serious concerns following the release of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)’s preliminary report on the Air India disaster. He is seeking clarity on whether all mandatory safety inspections were conducted diligently and on schedule.
“I have specific questions for the government and the investigation agencies,” Vansadia stated. “The report highlights a technical issue, with one pilot seemingly asking the other about the switch. Were all the preventative checks on the aircraft properly completed? I am hopeful that these questions will be answered,” he added. The tragic crash claimed the lives of 260 individuals, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.
The 15-page AAIB report details the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. Both engines unexpectedly shut down during the initial climb, resulting in a catastrophic loss of thrust and a rapid descent. Data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) revealed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were inadvertently moved from RUN to CUTOFF within a 1-second interval shortly after liftoff. One pilot was recorded asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” to which the response was, “I did not.” The scheduled flight AI171, originating from Ahmedabad and destined for London Gatwick, carried 230 passengers and crew. The final report is anticipated in the coming months. The accident is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.