Indian Government Sets Up Committee to Probe Deadly Air India Crash

New Delhi/Ahmedabad: The Indian government has announced the constitution of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to probe the causes leading to the devastating Air India plane crash on June 12, which claims the lives of at least 270 people.

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry said that this committee, headed by Home Secretary, would examine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines to prevent such occurrences and suggest comprehensive measures for future instances. The committee will have access to all records related to flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance logs, air traffic control (ATC) logs, and witness testimonies.

"We want to ensure that the root cause of this disaster is thoroughly investigated," said Civil Aviation Minister K.Rammohan Naidu on Saturday. "We will do everything possible to improve safety, which we have robust protocols in place for."

The committee's first meeting has been scheduled for Monday, with a submission deadline of three months. It will assess contributing factors, including mechanical failure, human error, and regulatory compliances.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) agencies have visited the crash site in Medhaninagar and lifted samples to probe the incident, which occurred shortly after the pilots made a May Day call for help. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) responded immediately but there was no response from the cockpit after a minute.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has announced an outpouring of support to the victims' families, offering financial assistance and medical expenses coverage. Tata Sons has also pledged Rs 1 crore per family member, with interim payments made for immediate needs.