Mobile phones of ground staff seized; Sabotage angle not ruled out yet

NEW DELHI: The investigation team did not rule out the possibility of sabotage in the Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 270 people. Maintenance and ground staff are being quizzed in detail. Their mobile phones were seized. CCTV footage is also being examined.

The staff being questioned now were the ones tasked with inspecting the flight just before takeoff. Their job includes cleaning the interior of the aircraft, refuelling, giving hand signals, wheelchair assistance, gate management, and cargo loading.

The world is eagerly waiting to know the exact cause behind one of India’s worst-ever air tragedies. Leading national media reported that the investigation team has not ruled out the possibility of a terrorist link.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is the main investigator. The Gujarat Police, Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are assisting. A high-level committee formed by the central government is also investigating. The data from the cockpit voice recorder and black box are being examined closely.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration are conducting parallel investigations. Boeing company officials and aviation experts from the U.K. are camping in Ahmedabad.

1. Was the pilot at fault? Technical failure?

2. Was there a flaw in the aircraft design?

3. Was the engine not properly maintained?

Suspicions are growing that both engines of the plane failed simultaneously, and the electrical and hydraulic systems were not fully operational. In this situation, it is suspected that the RAT (Ram Air Turbine), which operates automatically, also worked as expected on the Dreamliner. The RAT is a small turbine that provides hydraulic and electrical power to the plane in emergencies. In the video released on Wednesday, sounds eerily similar to RAT operating can be heard.

It is reported that the engine of the crashed plane was replaced three months ago. The old engine on the right side was replaced in March.