The Centre has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee headed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to investigate the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew. The committee will also draft comprehensive guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Civil Aviation Ministry clarified that this panel is not a substitute for the ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). “The committee will focus on formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for preventing and handling such occurrences in the future,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday. The report is expected to be submitted within three months.
The crash occurred on June 12, when a London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft plunged shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, crashing into a nearby medical college complex. In addition to the 241 people on board, several others on the ground were also injured or killed.
Members of the committee include the Civil Aviation Secretary, Additional Secretary (Home), representatives of the Gujarat Home Department, Gujarat Disaster Response Authority, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, and Director Generals of the DGCA and BCAS. Officials from the Indian Air Force, Intelligence Bureau, and Directorate of Forensic Science Services are also part of the panel.
The committee’s mandate includes:
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Determining the root cause of the crash, including mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and regulatory lapses.
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Reviewing emergency response and inter-agency coordination post-crash.
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Recommending improvements in operational protocols and regulatory compliance.
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Studying past aircraft crash records and aligning new SOPs with global best practices.
“The panel may also consult international agencies and experts, particularly if foreign nationals or aircraft manufacturers are involved,” the ministry added.
The panel will have access to critical flight data, cockpit voice recordings, aircraft maintenance logs, ATC records, and witness statements. The ministry said it is committed to implementing any policy, operational, or training recommendations that emerge from the committee’s findings.
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