Катастрофа самолета Air India 787: чего ожидать от предварительного отчета AAIB?

DELHI— The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is set to release the preliminary findings into the Air India (AI) Boeing 787-8 crash that occurred on June 12.

The aircraft, operating as flight AI171 from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), went down moments after take-off, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, along with several people on the ground.

This tragedy marks the deadliest Indian aviation accident in over 40 years and the first-ever fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Given its global significance, expectations are high regarding the scope and depth of the initial AAIB report.

Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle

Air India 787 Crash Preliminary Report

AAIB preliminary reports traditionally serve as factual overviews rather than conclusive analyses.

Historically, these early documents outline basic details such as aircraft specifications, crew credentials, weather conditions, accident sequence, and the status of the investigation.

They are generally 4–5 pages in length and divided into standard sections: general information, aircraft and crew data, accident description, wreckage analysis, and any initial safety recommendations.

In past incidents, these reports have not offered firm conclusions or causal assessments. Instead, they have aimed to establish a documented trail of known events and facts surrounding the crash.

However, given the unprecedented scale of the Ahmedabad disaster, this report may deviate from previous patterns in both depth and content, the Indian Express reported.

Photo: Pexels and Compounded by Aviation A2Z

Global Pressure for a Timely, Insightful Report

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommends the release of a preliminary report within 30 days of an accident.

While India is not legally required to meet this timeline, the AAIB is likely to comply, given global scrutiny and the public demand for transparency.

Final reports usually follow within a year, but aviation experts caution against premature conclusions. Aircraft crash investigations are complex, often involving a cascade of technical and human factors.

The absence of a clear primary trigger in this case only reinforces the need for a thorough, multi-layered probe.

Photo: NTSB

Structure and Contents of Past AAIB Preliminary Reports

AAIB’s typical preliminary reports contain the following structured sections:

• General Information: Includes flight number, operator, aircraft registration, time/location of crash, and operational details.
• Aircraft Information: Details on aircraft age, certification, engine history, recent maintenance, and known issues.
• Crew Information: Pilots’ licenses, medical fitness, endorsements, and flight experience, both total and on aircraft type.
• Aerodrome Information: Airport layout, ATC services, rescue/fire response readiness, and navigational aids.
• Weather Conditions: Meteorological reports and observations at the time of take-off and the accident.
• Accident Description: Step-by-step breakdown of flight events, cockpit communication, alarms, and procedural responses.
• Wreckage & Impact Analysis: Observations from the crash site, nature of damage, and component condition.
• Evidence Collection: Items recovered—flight data recorders (FDR), cockpit voice recorders (CVR), surveillance footage, etc.
• Investigation Progress: Actions taken, data analyzed, and interviews conducted so far.
• Interim Recommendations (if any): Precautionary safety measures are advised before final report release.

These sections aim to present an evidence-based account of the accident without drawing premature inferences. In some cases, they also include short-term recommendations to prevent potential risks during the ongoing investigation.

Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle

Why This Preliminary Report May Be Different

The scale, aircraft type, and global attention surrounding the Ahmedabad crash distinguish it from any prior AAIB investigation.

The sheer death toll, coupled with the fact that this is the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787, adds urgency and pressure on the agency to deliver clarity, even in the preliminary stages.

While it may not deliver final answers, the report is expected to go beyond routine documentation. Insights into initial flight data, crew actions, and possible system anomalies could shape early narratives and guide global aviation safety protocols.

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