Following the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171, the Indian government has set up a high-level committee to inquire into the disaster and assess national aviation safety procedures.
The ill-fated flight, which originated from Ahmedabad and was destined for London's Gatwick Airport, crashed soon after takeoff on June 12.
The crash killed 241 individuals among the 242 on board, with just one survivor, and it became one of the most fatal aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the recently appointed committee will explore the reasons behind the crash, isolate systemic weaknesses, and suggest curative measures.
Meanwhile, other investigative bodies carry on their respective inquiries, this committee will specifically concentrate on policy analysis and safety enhancements, without duplication or replacement of the current efforts.
The panel will be headed by the Union Home Secretary and will include the highest officials from some of the most important organizations, such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Indian Air Force, and the Intelligence Bureau.
State government officials from Gujarat, the police department of Ahmedabad, disaster management groups, and forensic science experts would also be key players. The committee can hire extra experts like aviation analysts, legal professionals, or technical investigators if required.
To support its work, the panel shall have access to key materials such as flight data recorders, cockpit voice recordings, maintenance records on airplanes, Air Traffic Control (ATC) records, and witness statements.
The probe will entail visits to the ground at the site of the crash and first-hand interaction with important stakeholders—ranging from air traffic staff and airline crew members to emergency response personnel.
In case of international connections to the accident, the committee has the mandate to interact with international investigating agencies as well as the maker of the aircraft.
The team is required to submit a full report within three months. Besides determining the causes of the crash, the panel is required to evaluate the response to the emergency, the coordination of agencies, and the effectiveness of rescue operations.
It will also make suggestions for enhancing communication networks, response systems, and training at both national and regional levels, with the overall intent of aligning India's aviation safety standards with international best practices.
Significantly, the government directive also directs the committee to examine previous aviation accidents in India and consider the effectiveness of existing emergency response systems so as to prevent a repeat of such disasters in the future.
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