Air India has grounded three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for thorough investigations following a tragic crash earlier this year that claimed the lives of 241 individuals. The incident, which occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, resulted in the loss of 241 out of 242 people on board. The decision to suspend the three latest Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners was prompted by four serious in-flight occurrences.
This development comes shortly after the Supreme Court of India indicated that the pilot of the ill-fated Air India flight should not be held responsible for the crash. The court mentioned that the initial report on the incident did not implicate the captain, but it will review a request from the pilot’s father for an independent inquiry.
The crash involving Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick occurred when the aircraft struck a building shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, resulting in the tragic loss of 241 passengers on board and an additional 19 individuals on the ground. One survivor, Briton Viswashkumar Ramesh, recounted feeling devastated by the ordeal, having been the sole person to escape the wreckage.
The father of the pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, has urged the Supreme Court to initiate an investigation by a panel of aviation experts into the crash. The pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, was at the helm during the flight, while Clive Kunder served as the first officer. Sabharwal has called for an independent committee to probe the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash and criticized the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Allegations were made against Sabharwal’s son by AAIB officials claiming he tampered with the fuel of the plane post-takeoff. However, the government refuted these claims, asserting that the investigation was meticulously conducted. A preliminary report released by the AAIB in July revealed that fuel control switches in the cockpit were manipulated to a “CUTOFF” position. The report disclosed a conversation in the cockpit where one pilot questioned the other about cutting off the fuel, to which the latter denied doing so.
The report, spanning 15 pages, did not specify which pilot made which remarks. Both pilots were seasoned professionals, boasting a combined flying experience of approximately 19,000 hours, including over 9,000 hours on the 787 aircraft.
Among the 241 individuals onboard, 53 were UK citizens. Viswashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor residing in Leicester with his family, continues to endure physical pain post-crash, including knee, shoulder, and back injuries, along with burns on his left arm. Ramesh has been offered an interim payment of £21,500 to aid in his recovery process.
