Key Points
- Central government’s high-level committee convenes in Delhi to investigate the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
- The committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, aims to develop new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for aviation safety.
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a technical probe into the crash.
- The committee must submit its findings and recommendations within three months.
- The crash claimed 241 lives, with only one survivor; the black box has been recovered for analysis.
New Delhi: In the wake of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the central government’s high-level committee will hold its inaugural meeting in Delhi on Monday. The meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is a critical step toward understanding the causes of the tragedy and developing robust safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Mandate: Policy Overhaul and Safety SOPs
The committee’s primary objective is to draft comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the aviation sector. These SOPs will be designed to address gaps in current safety practices and ensure that lessons learned from the crash are institutionalized across India’s aviation infrastructure. The committee has been given a three-month deadline to complete its investigation and submit a detailed report, reflecting the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Technical Probe by AAIB
While the high-level committee focuses on policy and procedural reforms, the technical investigation into the crash has been entrusted to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The AAIB is tasked with reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying the technical factors that led to the crash. The recovery of the aircraft’s black box from the Meghnagar crash site is expected to provide crucial data on flight operations and cockpit communications, which will be pivotal in determining the root cause of the accident.
Tragic Details: 241 Lives Lost
The crash occurred on Thursday, June 12, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into the campus of a medical college in Meghnagar. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, underscoring the national significance of the tragedy.
Committee Composition: Multidisciplinary Approach
The high-level committee, formed as per the Ministry’s June 13 order, brings together top officials from multiple agencies:
- Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan (Chair)
- Civil Aviation Secretary
- Additional Secretary, Home Ministry
- Representatives from Gujarat Home Department and Disaster Response Authority
- Ahmedabad Police Commissioner
- Air Force Director General (Inspection and Security)
- Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- Special Director, Intelligence Bureau
- Director, Directorate of Forensic Science Services
This multidisciplinary team is expected to provide a holistic perspective, combining technical, security, and emergency response expertise.
Summary Table: Air India Ahmedabad Crash Investigation
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad |
| Date | June 12, 2025 |
| Casualties | 241 dead, 1 survivor |
| Black Box | Recovered for analysis |
| Committee Chair | Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan |
| Key Agencies Involved | AAIB, DGCA, BCAS, Gujarat authorities, Air Force |
| Report Deadline | 3 months |
| Main Goal | Draft new SOPs, prevent future incidents |
