Kin of Ahmedabad plane crash victim, Yashpal Singh Vansadia, has raised many questions after the preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was released regarding the Air India plane crash that took place in Ahmedabad on June 12. Yashpal, who lost his parents in the accident, wanted to know whether all the necessary safety checks of the plane were done on time and properly.
“I have certain questions to ask the government and the investigation agencies. Based on the report, which mentions one pilot asking the other if he has turned off the switch, it means there were some technical issues. Were all preventive checks of the aircraft done? I hope I get answers to all these questions,” he told ANI.
The crash killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.
The 15-page report outlines a harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff, as both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and rapid descent.
Flight data recovered from the aircraft’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) revealed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were inadvertently moved from RUN to CUTOFF, one after the other within a 1-second interval, at an altitude just moments after liftoff. One pilot was heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” to which the response was, “I did not.”
The final report is expected in the coming months. Flight AI171 was a scheduled service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carrying 230 passengers and crew. The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history.
