Ahmedabad Air India Crash: Pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's Last Rites Held in Mumbai
The mortal remains of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of the Air India flight AI-171 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, were brought to Mumbai on Tuesday for his last rites. The crash of the London-bound flight resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 242 passengers and crew, along with 29 people on the ground when it struck a medical complex. Captain Sabharwal was remembered by family and friends.
Unpacked:
Initial investigations suggest the crash was due to a failure to achieve sufficient thrust during take-off. The pilot's last message indicated "thrust not achieved," meaning the engines did not generate enough power for safe take-off. The aircraft used almost the entire runway before crashing, and further details await black box analysis.
Foreign investigators, including teams from the UK and US, are involved because of international agreements on aviation safety. A 1944 global aviation pact allows countries linked to the aircraft’s manufacturer or operation to participate in crash investigations to promote shared air safety standards.
Yes, the pilot issued a distress call stating “Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday!” just before the plane lost contact and crashed. This distress call indicated a significant problem with engine thrust during take-off.
The black box, which includes the Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder, is crucial for understanding exactly what happened during the critical moments before the crash. It will provide data on engine performance, pilot actions, and communications, helping investigators determine the precise cause.