Daijiworld Media Network - London/Washington
London/Washington, Jun 12: The United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have extended their support to Indian authorities investigating the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it went down shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon.
A statement from the UK’s AAIB confirmed that it has formally offered assistance to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB-India) and will also participate in the probe with “expert status” under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13, since UK nationals were among the passengers on board.
“We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian-led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident,” the AAIB said. At least 169 Indian nationals and 53 British nationals were aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner when it crashed shortly after departure from Ahmedabad airport.
The British High Commission in India has stated that it is coordinating closely with local authorities to gather information and provide support to those affected. In London, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued an advisory for British citizens, urging those in need of consular assistance or those concerned about family members to contact designated helplines. It also noted that the Government of Gujarat has set up an Emergency Centre, while Air India has established a dedicated hotline for passenger inquiries.
Heidi Alexander, the UK Secretary of State for Transport, said she is receiving regular updates and emphasized the UK’s commitment to aiding the investigation. “As part of the UK’s ongoing support in relation to today’s tragic incident, the AAIB will deploy a team to India to support the Indian authorities in their investigation. My thoughts remain with everyone involved,” she said in a post on X.
The AAIB, which investigates serious civil aviation incidents across the UK and its overseas territories, is expected to send a small but specialized team of inspectors drawn from the fields of operations, engineering, data analysis, and human factors.
Meanwhile, the US FAA also confirmed its readiness to assist in the investigation. In a statement issued late Thursday, the agency said it was in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is designated to represent the United States in such international aviation accidents. “The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171. When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation. In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official US representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately,” the FAA noted.
As the international investigation team prepares to coordinate efforts on the ground, authorities in India have yet to release the preliminary cause of the crash. The joint inquiry will now focus on recovering flight data, analyzing cockpit recordings, inspecting debris, and interviewing personnel to determine the factors behind the deadly incident.