The crash of Air India Flight 171 near Ahmedabad has claimed the lives of at least 269 individuals, and investigators are now focusing on the aircraft’s flight data recorder for insights into the disaster.**
Recovery Efforts Intensify Following Air India Plane Crash**
Recovery Efforts Intensify Following Air India Plane Crash**
Investigators work around the clock as the number of casualties rises from the devastating crash near Ahmedabad.**
Investigative teams are combing through the wreckage of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing at least 269 people. As recovery efforts progress, authorities reported the recovery of the flight data recorder, crucial for understanding the events leading up to the catastrophe.
“We believe this is a significant breakthrough,” said India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. The flight data recorder is a crucial tool for investigators, shedding light on key information such as timing, altitude, and airspeed at the time of the accident. The aviation ministry has established a high-level investigative committee, which aims to implement measures to prevent future disasters.
Flight AI171, which was destined for London Gatwick, experienced mechanical failure moments after departing from Gujarat. It was confirmed that there was only one survivor among the 242 passengers and crew onboard while reports indicate that dozens of individuals on the ground were also killed when the plane collided with a medical college nearby.
In response to the crash, aviation regulators have mandated Air India to perform urgent maintenance checks on its Boeing aircraft, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Initial assessments suggested critical questions regarding the operation of the aircraft's wing flaps and slats. It was also noted that the landing gear, which typically increases drag during ascent, remained deployed.
As families mourn their loved ones at the local hospital, the identification of the deceased has been a painstaking process due to the extent of the damage. With many bodies needing to undergo DNA testing, the grief-stricken relatives are anxiously awaiting updates.
The aircraft skidded into the medical college at the airport, destroying a dining hall where numerous students and junior doctors were gathered for lunch. Emergency crews continued to work through the wreckage, recovering additional bodies, while heavy machinery was deployed to remove the downed sections of the plane.
Despite the official death toll being set at 269, estimates from security officials and medical professionals indicate that the number of fatalities could be much higher, particularly pertaining to those affected on the ground. The situation remains fluid as authorities work to assess the full scope of the tragedy and provide closure to the affected families.
