Will the Truth Emerge? Cong Demands High-Level Probe into Air India Plane Crash

Bhandara, June 13 (NationPress) Following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in the loss of 241 lives, senior Congress leader Nana Patole on Friday called for a comprehensive investigation to reveal the facts behind what is being referred to as one of the gravest aviation tragedies in modern history.

In a statement to IANS, Patole expressed profound sorrow over the incident and highlighted the necessity for transparency and accountability.

"This is a profoundly tragic event. My sincerest condolences go out to those who lost their lives. I hope their families find the strength needed to endure this significant loss," he remarked.

"The truth must be revealed. The government is urged to execute a meticulous investigation and disclose all findings to the public, ensuring that such occurrences do not happen again. Although mid-air engine failures are not unheard of, a crash occurring mere moments after takeoff is extraordinarily rare and warrants serious examination. This incident marks the first time in aviation history that such a catastrophic failure has taken place right after takeoff," Patole elaborated.

He stressed that this is not the moment for political finger-pointing, stating, "Some are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. However, I believe this is not the appropriate time for blame. Our current focus should be on assisting the families of the victims and facilitating a thorough investigation."

In related news, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated intensified safety inspections of Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner fleet following the tragic crash of Flight AI171, which was en route to London and went down shortly after departing from Ahmedabad on Thursday.

As a precautionary measure, Air India has been instructed to conduct extra maintenance checks on Boeing 787 aircraft equipped with Genx engines in collaboration with the DGCA's regional offices.

The aircraft's black box has been retrieved, and investigations are currently in progress. Experienced pilots have speculated that a potential dual-engine failure could have been caused by factors such as a bird strike, contaminated fuel, or fuel blockage.

To ensure a thorough inquiry, Indian aviation authorities will soon be joined by experts from both the United States and United Kingdom.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran aviator with over 8,000 flight hours, alongside co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had amassed over 1,000 hours. The crew issued a Mayday call immediately post-takeoff, but all communication ceased shortly thereafter. The plane tragically collided with a medical college building and erupted in flames.