Sabotage angle being probed in Ahmedabad plane crash: Union Minister

Srinagar, July 2: Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is examining all possible angles—including sabotage—in the Air India plane crash that killed 274 people on board and on the ground in Ahmedabad last month.

He also confirmed that the black box from flight AI 171 has been recovered and is currently in the custody of the AAIB. "It will not be sent abroad for analysis; all assessments will be conducted within the country," he added.

Officials said the aircraft lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm. It crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area before going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

Besides the crash, the minister spoke on issues such as 419 technical vacancies in the DGCA, the alleged exploitation of pilots by private airlines and on means to make air travel cheaper.

"The DGCA will soon begin working on the issue of technical vacancies," he said.

Asked if private airlines can make key appointments on their own, he said: "No appointments can be made without the DGCA's approval. Private airlines cannot take whoever they want. You need certain qualifications, etc."

Murlidhar Mohol  said that the black boxes recovered from the crash site are in the custody of the AAIB and will not be sent to any foreign country for thorough assessment.

The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was recovered from the rooftop of a building on June 13 while the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was found in the debris on June 16.

The investigation team led by AAIB DG G.V.G. Yugandhar includes an aviation medicine specialist, an ATC officer, and representatives from the US government's National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).