India's Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has confirmed that a possible "sabotage angle" is being investigated in the Air India crash that occurred in Ahmedabad earlier this month. The tragic incident, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick Airport, resulted in the deaths of 242 passengers and crew, as well as 19 people on the ground, after the aircraft collided with a medical college shortly after takeoff.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full-scale investigation to assess all potential causes, including the possibility of sabotage. This marks the first time that officials have formally acknowledged sabotage as a potential factor, although commentators had previously speculated about it.
According to reports, moments before the crash on June 12, the pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a desperate "May Day" call, reporting a loss of thrust. Initial investigations suggest that both engines lost power, an event described by experts as extremely rare. The AAIB is now examining whether fuel contamination, potentially resulting from a deliberate act, could have led to the engine failure.
Mohol has stated that CCTV footage is being reviewed and that various agencies are collaborating on the investigation. The AAIB is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), often referred to as the black boxes, which were recovered from the crash site. This analysis aims to reconstruct the sequence of events, with a particular focus on the takeoff phase and the pilots' Mayday call. Investigators are examining variables such as engine thrust levels and flap configurations. Data decoding commenced on June 24, with assistance from Indian investigators and experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The crash protection module (CPM) of the CVR was successfully retrieved, and its memory module was accessed on June 25 at the AAIB’s Delhi lab.
In addition to the black box analysis, authorities are evaluating airport CCTV footage, radio logs, and other surveillance data. A multidisciplinary team, including specialists in aviation medicine, air traffic control, and technical systems, was formed on June 13, following guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Despite the ongoing investigation, Mohol has reassured the public about the safety of air travel in India, particularly on the country's 33 Dreamliners. He stated that all Dreamliners have been inspected under the orders of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and were found to be safe.
The Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport (AMD), reaching an altitude of only 625 feet before colliding with a medical college hostel. The crash resulted in a fire and thick smoke. Ultimately, all bodies have been identified and returned to their families, with the state government providing logistical and medical support. The AAIB is continuing to lead the investigation, with full cooperation from Air India and international aviation safety bodies.
