 "A screen displays the logo for Boeing on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City. File photo/Reuters")
Hours after Air India flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, Aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Thursday said that it is in contact with Air India regarding flight and is prepared to provide full support.
Taking to X, Boeing said, “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London, crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing all 242 people on board.
The aircraft was seen losing altitude rapidly before crashing in a fireball, sending thick black smoke spiraling into the sky.
According to officials, the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian passenger. The 12-member crew was also among those killed.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAviation regulator DGCA confirmed that the aircraft’s pilot issued a Mayday call to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control shortly after takeoff. However, no further communication was received from the cockpit after the distress signal.
The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 flight hours, along with First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience.
In response to the disaster, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation. Senior officials, including the AAIB Director General and Director of Investigation, are en route to Ahmedabad to lead the probe into what caused one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent Indian history.
With inputs from agencies