Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 14: In the wake of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, the Union Government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the causes and formulate safety protocols to prevent such disasters in the future.

Headed by union home secretary Govind Mohan, the committee will study multiple aspects of the June 12 crash, including mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and regulatory lapses. The panel will submit its report within three months.

The civil aviation ministry clarified that this panel will work alongside, not in place of, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is already probing the fatal crash of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft that went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, crashing into a medical college complex.

The committee includes top officials from the civil aviation ministry, home ministry, Gujarat disaster management authority, DGCA, BCAS, IAF, intelligence bureau, and the directorate of forensic science services. Aviation experts, accident investigators, and legal advisors may also be co-opted.

The panel’s mandate includes examining past aircraft incidents, assessing emergency responses during the Ahmedabad crash, reviewing inter-agency coordination, and recommending operational, policy, and training reforms. It will access all relevant flight data, cockpit voice recordings, ATC logs, and maintenance records, and collaborate with international agencies if needed.

The ministry stated the committee will draft a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) incorporating global best practices for both crash prevention and post-crash response.