Ahmedabad Air Disaster: Parliament Panel Questions Aviation Authorities and Boeing

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture is investigating the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in over 240 fatalities. The committee has summoned top aviation officials, including the Civil Aviation Secretary and Boeing executives, to address safety concerns, regulatory compliance, and operational practices. Led by Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Jha, the panel aims to understand the root cause of the crash and assess the state of aviation safety in India. Air India and aviation regulators will be questioned on their compliance with international safety norms. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is analyzing the cockpit voice and flight data recorders (black boxes), with assistance from U.S. agencies. Preliminary results are anticipated in a few weeks, while a complete report is expected in a few months. Concurrently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a safety audit of Air India, focusing on the airworthiness and maintenance of its Boeing Dreamliners. The parliamentary panel is also set to review pilot working hours, fleet operations, and aircraft maintenance schedules. The focus of the probe is to improve the operational procedures of Indian carriers, and to ensure accountability, leading to potential changes in air safety regulations.