AAIB Engages Captain RS Sandhu as AI Expert for Ahmedabad Plane Crash Investigation

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has enlisted Captain RS Sandhu, a seasoned aviator and former director of operations at Air India, to assist in the investigation of the Ahmedabad plane crash. This tragic incident, which occurred last month, resulted in the loss of 260 lives. Sandhu's extensive experience includes being a designated examiner for the Boeing 787-8 fleet at Air India.

On June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed into a building shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick. The crash claimed the lives of 260 individuals, including 19 on the ground. Among the 242 passengers on board, only one survived. The AAIB released a preliminary report on July 12 regarding this fatal accident.

Expert Involvement in Investigation

Sources revealed that AAIB approached Sandhu to serve as a domain expert in the ongoing investigation. Sandhu accepted this role, bringing his vast experience to aid in understanding the crash's causes. He is also known for founding Aviazione, an aviation consultancy firm, and leading a team for integrating Tata Group airlines.

Concerns have been raised by various pilot unions about the lack of subject matter experts in the probe. The Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA India) has been advocating for AAIB to include its representatives in the investigation. However, details about other domain experts involved remain unclear.

Comprehensive Investigation Team

A five-member team led by Sanjay Kumar Singh, aged 56, is conducting the investigation into this tragic event. The team comprises experienced pilots, engineers, aviation medicine specialists, aviation psychologists, and flight recorder specialists. These experts are contributing their knowledge to uncover the reasons behind the crash.

Sandhu's involvement is significant as he had taken delivery of the now-crashed Boeing 787-8 plane—VT-ANB—in 2013. His expertise is expected to provide valuable insights into the aircraft's operations and potential factors leading to the accident.

The AAIB's decision to include seasoned professionals like Sandhu underscores their commitment to a thorough and detailed investigation. As more findings emerge from this probe, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate effectively to enhance aviation safety standards.

With inputs from PTI