The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has formally launched a probe into the catastrophic crash of Air India flight 171 near Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the investigation will follow global protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the AAIB, in line with international protocols,” Naidu stated in a post on X.
The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is responsible for probing aviation accidents in India. Alongside the investigation, the Indian government is also constituting a high-level committee of multidisciplinary experts to evaluate the circumstances of the crash and recommend measures to enhance aviation safety.
“The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in the future,” Naidu added.
Meanwhile, the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it will send a team of experts to India to assist with the ongoing investigation. In a post from its official newsroom handle, the NTSB confirmed that it will support the AAIB in examining the circumstances that led to the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. As per ICAO’s Annex 13 guidelines, the Government of India will lead and release all official information related to the investigation.
The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM IST on June 12, en route to London Gatwick. The plane, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into a residential doctors’ hostel near the airport perimeter. One passenger—a British national of Indian origin—survived and is currently undergoing treatment.
Air India confirmed the fatalities in a late-night statement: “We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.”
The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. A Mayday call was issued shortly after takeoff, but contact was lost soon afterward.
Tata Sons, the parent company of Air India, has announced ₹1 crore compensation for the families of each deceased passenger and additional support for the survivor and the rebuilding of the impacted doctors’ hostel.
“We will cover the medical expenses of those injured and provide all necessary care. We also pledge support in rebuilding the B J Medical’s doctors’ hostel,” Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in a statement on X.
Seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel have been deployed by the Gujarat government to manage rescue and recovery efforts at the crash site. Air India has set up helpline numbers for affected families: 1800 5691 444 (India) and +91 8062779200 (international callers).
Further updates are awaited as the international investigation gains momentum.