Bhubaneswar:
More than a month after one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, the preliminary investigation report into the Air India London-Ahmedabad Boeing flight crash has been released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The crash, which occurred on June 12, claimed the lives of all 260 people on board, leaving the nation in shock and mourning.
However, instead of providing much-needed clarity, the AAIB’s preliminary findings released on July 11 have raised more questions than they have answered. Families of the victims, aviation experts, and the general public had been hoping for a clearer understanding of what led to the fatal incident. But the report fails to definitively state whether the crash was caused by pilot error, mechanical failure, or a deliberate act, leaving all possibilities open and public trust hanging in uncertainty.
For the families of the deceased, the lack of answers is especially painful. Many have expressed frustration over the vague and inconclusive nature of the findings. Social media platforms and civil society groups have also criticized the AAIB for what they see as delayed communication and lack of transparency. Calls are growing louder for an independent review or a more detailed supplementary report from the investigating body.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the preliminary report contains data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), but offers no conclusive narrative about the sequence of events leading up to the crash. While it rules out external sabotage for now, the report does not eliminate the possibility of onboard technical failure or human error, adding to the confusion.
This crash, now counted among the worst in India’s civil aviation history, has reignited debates about air safety regulations, air traffic control oversight, and the readiness of Indian investigative bodies to handle major aviation crises. As pressure mounts for transparency and justice, the families of 260 victims and a watching nation continue to wait for the truth.
-OdishaAge
