The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8, operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12.
Out of the 260 people onboard, 241 lost their lives when the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel just seconds after take-off.
Following are some of the key points from report:
* 230 passengers and 12 crew members were onboard the aircraft. Fifteen passengers were in business class and 215 passengers, including two infants, in economy class.
* 54,200 kilograms of fuel onboard; aircraft's take off weight of 2,13,401 kgs within permissible limits. No 'Dangerous Goods' were in aircraft.
* Aircraft lifted off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:08:39 IST) engine fuel control switches turned off with a time gap of 1 second. The switches were turned on later.
* At about 08:09:05 UTC (13:09:05 hours IST), one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. Air Traffic Controller enquired about the call sign but did not get any response and saw aircraft crashing outside airport boundary.
* Wreckage site activities including drone photography/videography completed; wreckage moved to a secure area near the airport.
* Both engines retrieved and quarantined at a hangar in the airport.
* Fuel samples taken from bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft tested at DGCA's Lab and found satisfactory.
* At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.
* Additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.
* Investigation team will review and examine additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from stakeholders.
Out of the 260 people onboard, 241 lost their lives when the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel just seconds after take-off.
Following are some of the key points from report:
* 230 passengers and 12 crew members were onboard the aircraft. Fifteen passengers were in business class and 215 passengers, including two infants, in economy class.
* 54,200 kilograms of fuel onboard; aircraft's take off weight of 2,13,401 kgs within permissible limits. No 'Dangerous Goods' were in aircraft.
* Aircraft lifted off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:08:39 IST) engine fuel control switches turned off with a time gap of 1 second. The switches were turned on later.
* At about 08:09:05 UTC (13:09:05 hours IST), one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. Air Traffic Controller enquired about the call sign but did not get any response and saw aircraft crashing outside airport boundary.
* Wreckage site activities including drone photography/videography completed; wreckage moved to a secure area near the airport.
* Both engines retrieved and quarantined at a hangar in the airport.
* Fuel samples taken from bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft tested at DGCA's Lab and found satisfactory.
* At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.
* Additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.
* Investigation team will review and examine additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from stakeholders.
