Eight B787 aircraft inspected after Air India crash: Aviation minister
The civil aviation minister did not elaborate on the findings of the surveillance. However, people familiar with the matter said that there were no issues found in the eight inspected 787s
New Delhi: Eight out of the total 34 B787 fleet have already been inspected, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday while addressing the media on the Air India flight that crashed on Thursday.
“As per extended surveillance ordered by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Friday, eight of the total 34 B787 have already been inspected,” Naidu said.
The minister did not elaborate on the findings of the surveillance. However, people familiar with the matter said that there were no issues found in the eight inspected 787s.
Naidu also said that the black box was recovered at around 5pm on Friday. People familiar with the matter said that it’s the flight data recorder (FDR) of the black box that was found on Friday and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is yet to be found.
To be sure, Air India had 34 B787 in its fleet before the crash. IndiGo has a B787-9 aircraft but with a foreign registration.
241 out of the total 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members) were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed moments after taking off on Thursday afternoon, marking the worst air tragedy in the country in three decades.
Officials said at least 50 people were injured in the medical college hostel where the jet rammed into as it turned into a fireball.
Samir Kumar Sinha, civil aviation secretary, said, “Air India B787-8 aircraft flew to Paris-Delhi, and Delhi- Ahmedabad route without any issues before the crash.”
“The crash happened at 1.40pm and a team of DGCA, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), AAI (Airports Authority of India), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and myself reached the crash site around 6pm until when the fire was doused by the local authorities,” Sinha said.
The government at around 12.40am on Saturday issued an order stating that a high-level multi disciplinary committee headed by union home secretary had been set to carry out a broader review of the incident.
This committee includes officials from several central agencies and state authorities and has been asked to examine the crash from all technical, operational, and regulatory perspectives. The committee is expected to submit a report within three months, recommending reforms in aviation safety, training, certification, emergency protocols, and air traffic systems.
The committee will comprise heads from DGCA and BCAS, secretary of civil aviation, representative from the Gujarat home department, representative from the state disaster response authority, police commissioner of Ahmedabad, the director general (DG), Inspection and Safety of the Indian Air Force, special director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), and director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services.
Naidu said that the committee would have a “holistic” approach.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched an investigation on the day of the crash. A team led by the AAIB director general was dispatched and later joined by forensic and medical experts. A major development came on Friday when the black box was recovered. Experts hope it will provide crucial information about the final moments of the flight.
Meanwhile, the government instructed Air India to provide full assistance to the families of victims. This includes immediate financial compensation, help with travel and documentation, emotional support, and the presence of senior Air India staff to assist families both in India and at Gatwick Airport in the UK. A dedicated support cell has also been established in London for British nationals and their families.
Air India said it will be providing an interim payment of ₹25 lakh or approximately 21,000 Great Britain Pound (GBP) each to the families of the deceased and to the survivor, to help address immediate financial needs.
“Air India stands in solidarity with the families of the passengers who tragically lost their lives in the recent accident. Our teams on the ground are doing everything possible to extend care and support during this incredibly difficult time. As part of our continued efforts, Air India will be providing an interim payment of ₹25 lakh or approximately 21,000 GBP each to the families of the deceased and to the survivor, to help address immediate financial needs,” said Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India.
“This is in addition to the ₹1 crore or approximately 85,000 GBP support already announced by Tata Sons,” he added.
“As stated earlier, Tata Group will provide Rs. 1 crore to the families of each person who lost their lives including passengers, crew members and individuals on the premises. Medical expenses of all those injured will also be covered while ensuring necessary care and support,” the Tata Sons spokesperson said on Saturday.
The Air India CEO also said the airline is in the process of completing precautionary safety checks on Boeing 787 aircraft, as directed by DGCA.
“Air India is in the process of completing the one-time safety checks directed by the Indian aviation regulator, DGCA. These checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations. Air India has completed such checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft and are on track to complete this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the timeline provided by the regulator,” said an Air India spokesperson.
“Some of these checks could lead to higher turnaround time and potential delays on certain long-haul routes especially those to airports with operating curfews. Customers will be duly notified about any delays. They are advised to check the status of their flights at http://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport.For customers affected by this disruption, refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are being offered to those who opt for it,” the airline added.
