UK and US Join Forces in Investigation of Ahmedabad Plane Crash: What We Know

The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 has prompted the UK and US to offer their assistance in the ongoing investigation led by Indian authorities. With 169 Indian and 53 British nationals on board, the incident has drawn international attention. The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the US Federal Aviation Administration are deploying teams to support the inquiry. As the situation unfolds, both governments are working closely with local authorities to provide necessary support to those affected. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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UK and US Join Forces in Investigation of Ahmedabad Plane Crash: What We Know

International Support for Air India Flight Investigation


London/Washington: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the UK and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States have both extended their assistance to Indian authorities in the wake of the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash, which occurred while en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick (LGW).


The AAIB has officially offered its expertise to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in India, stating that it will participate as an expert in the safety investigation due to the presence of UK citizens on board. A statement from the AAIB confirmed this collaboration.


In their statement, they mentioned, "We are sending a multidisciplinary team to India to aid in the investigation led by Indian officials. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unfortunate event."


Onboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were at least 169 Indian passengers and 53 British nationals when the aircraft tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad.


Following the incident, the British High Commission in India announced its cooperation with local authorities to swiftly ascertain the facts and provide necessary support to those affected.


In London, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised British nationals needing consular assistance or having concerns about relatives to reach out via the provided contact numbers.


The Gujarat State Government has set up an Emergency Centre for inquiries, while Air India has established a dedicated hotline for passengers.


Heidi Alexander, the UK's Secretary of State for Transport, shared on X, "As part of the UK's ongoing support regarding this tragic incident, the AAIB will send a team to assist Indian authorities in their investigation. I am receiving regular updates, and my thoughts are with everyone involved."


The AAIB is responsible for investigating civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents across the UK and its territories. Their inspectors specialize in operations, engineering, recorded data, and human factors. For field investigations, a small team of inspectors is dispatched to the accident site.


In cases of serious incidents, the AAIB may conduct a correspondence investigation, which can involve recovering flight data recorders and analyzing evidence in their labs. Typically, these investigations are published approximately three months after the incident.


The FAA also released a statement regarding Air India Flight AI171, indicating its readiness to deploy a team in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is responsible for civil transportation accident investigations in the US.


The FAA noted, "We are in contact with the NTSB concerning Air India flight AI171, which was involved in an accident in India. When an international incident occurs, the host government leads the investigation. If assistance is requested, the NTSB serves as the official US representative, with the FAA providing technical support. We are prepared to send a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB."


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