Is AAIB Conducting an Unbiased Investigation? Aviation Minister Addresses LS

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- AAIB is conducting a thorough investigation into the Air India 171 crash.
- The crash occurred shortly after take-off, leading to significant loss of life.
- Preliminary findings have raised controversial theories.
- The black box was decoded in India for the first time.
- Minister urges respect for the ongoing investigation process.
New Delhi, July 21 (NationPress) The Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, stated on Monday that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is undertaking a thorough and transparent investigation into the Air India 171 plane crash in Ahmedabad. The incident occurred shortly after take-off on June 12, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers except one.
In his initial remarks to the House regarding the AI plane crash, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is in progress, conducted by both the International Civil Aviation Organisation and AAIB, alongside relevant experts, with the final report still pending.
Naidu's comments follow preliminary findings from the AAIB, which suggested a potential ‘suicide theory’ involving the pilots, leading to significant public outcry and demonstrations.
The Aviation Minister urged the public to await the final findings, stressing the importance of respecting the investigation process. He stated, “The AAIB has a definitive, rule-based, and rigorous investigation process. They are completely unbiased and meticulously examining every detail. We must uphold the truth and honor the investigation process.”
The Air India 171 crash led to the loss of all 241 individuals on board, sending shockwaves across India and beyond, as it included numerous foreign nationals.
Furthermore, he informed the House that the black box was decoded domestically for the first time, marking a significant achievement since previous instances required sending it to the Boeing manufacturing country for decoding.
A day earlier, the Aviation Minister criticized Western media for speculative coverage surrounding the Air India Boeing crash investigation while praising the AAIB's successful decoding of the black box data.
“I trust the AAIB. They have done an exceptional job in decoding the entire black box and retrieving data right here in India,” the Minister remarked.