Following the tragic Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad on [current date], Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PK Mishra, immediately visited the site to assess the situation and push for a swift investigation and comprehensive support for the victims and their families. The London-bound flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting the BJ Medical College campus in Meghaninagar and resulting in a devastating fire.
Mishra's visit underscored the government's commitment to prioritizing the investigation and providing all necessary assistance. He was briefed at the crash site by senior officials from the Gujarat administration, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the Airports Authority of India regarding the sequence of events and the initial emergency response measures taken. The Principal Secretary then visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he met with grieving families and injured victims. He emphasized the need for seamless and compassionate support for the affected families, directing hospital authorities to prioritize medical care and recovery for the injured. Expressing his deep sorrow, Mishra conveyed the government's solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
A high-level review meeting, chaired by Mishra, was held at the Circuit House, bringing together senior officials from the Central and State governments, the AAIB, and the Airports Authority of India. Discussions centered on the ongoing relief, rescue, and investigation efforts. Prime Minister Modi's commitment to providing all possible support to the victims' families and ensuring a coordinated response across all agencies was reiterated.
The AAIB has launched a detailed investigation into the crash. To ensure a comprehensive and thorough inquiry, international agencies, including representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.K.'s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), have arrived in Ahmedabad to assist the AAIB.
Critical to the investigation is the recovery and analysis of the aircraft's black boxes. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was recovered on [date of crash + 1 day], followed by the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) on [current date]. Both devices have been secured, and the data analysis is currently underway. This analysis, which involves interpreting flight parameters such as speed and angle of attack, is expected to take several days. The AAIB's newly inaugurated DFDR & CVR Laboratory in New Delhi is being utilized for this purpose.
The crash has resulted in a significant loss of life, with only one survivor among the 242 passengers and crew members on board. In addition to the fatalities on the plane, a number of individuals on the ground also perished. The focus remains on providing support to the families of the victims, conducting a thorough and transparent investigation, and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
