CONTEXT

• A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171) with 242 people on board crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, causing India’s worst aviation disaster in a decade.
• The aircraft went down near BJ Medical College, leading to 24 ground casualties including medical students.
• Only one survivor reported so far: Viswashkumar Ramesh (Seat 11A).
• Crash occurred during initial climb phase, one of the riskiest stages of flight.

CONCEPT

• Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Advanced wide-body aircraft known for fuel efficiency, composite materials, and long-haul capacity.
• Crash Phases: IATA & Boeing data show majority of accidents occur during takeoff, landing, and climb phases due to limited reaction time.
• Black Box:
  • Includes Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
  • Despite the name, it’s orange for visibility; early versions operated in light-proof boxes (hence “black”).
  • Helps reconstruct accidents by capturing pilot conversation and over 80 flight parameters.
• Post-crash Fire:
  • Caused by fuel ignition, electrical sparks, hot surfaces.
  • Reduces survival chances drastically due to smoke, heat, and structural damage.
• Mayday Call:
  • Urgent distress signal sent by pilots.
  • Triggers immediate emergency response but doesn’t always guarantee prevention of crash.
• Montreal Convention:
  • An international treaty governing airline liability in accidents involving international flights.
• Disaster Management Role:
  • Involves emergency response, coordination with hospitals, victim ID via DNA, crash investigation, public communication.
  • Key in reducing death toll and ensuring accountability.

CURRENT

• Pilot-in-command: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal; 12 crew onboard.
• Nationalities onboard: 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed survivor and stated death toll pending DNA identification.
• Black box recovery underway; analysis takes 10–15 days.
• First responders faced heavy fire and black smoke; at least 5 students dead, 20 injured.
• Historical Insight: Black boxes became mandatory after several mid-20th century accidents; Australia led the mandate in 1963.

KEY TAKEAWAY

• Aircraft accidents remain rare but catastrophic.
• Technological safeguards (like black boxes), disaster preparedness, and international treaties are crucial in handling such tragedies and preventing recurrence.