Tragedy Strikes Ahmedabad: Meet the Elite Team Investigating the Devastating Air India Crash

On June 12, tragedy struck Ahmedabad as Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, plummeted to the ground shortly after takeoff. The catastrophic accident, which claimed the lives of 260 people – nearly all 242 on board and 19 on the ground – has been deemed the deadliest aviation disaster in India in a decade. Almost immediately, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a comprehensive probe, assembling a five-member panel of their most seasoned experts to uncover the truth.

The AAIB has now officially revealed the names of the officers leading this critical investigation. At the helm is Sanjay Kumar Singh, a Director at the AAIB, who has been appointed the investigator-in-charge.

The Investigators: A Glimpse into Their Expertise

Here's a closer look at the distinguished professionals tasked with piecing together the events of that fateful day:

Sanjay Kumar Singh: Leading the Charge

As a Director at the AAIB, 56-year-old Sanjay Kumar Singh brings an impressive 15 years of dedicated experience in aircraft accident investigation and aviation safety to the table. His extensive background includes managing investigations into 15 accidents or serious incidents and overseeing the classification of approximately 300 reported occurrences. With a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering specializing in aeronautical engineering and an MBA, Singh's LinkedIn profile further highlights over 25 years of experience in consulting, advisory, and operational roles related to Air Force assets.

Jasbir Singh Larhga: A Veteran Investigator

Jasbir Singh Larhga, a long-standing member of the AAIB with over a decade of service, is no stranger to high-stakes investigations. He played pivotal roles in numerous aircraft accident probes, notably including the 2020 Kozhikode Air India Express crash. His career spans tenures with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the country's aviation regulator, as well as with Pawan Hans and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Larhga's contributions to accident investigations include the Jet Airways runway excursion in Goa in 2016 and the Air India Express taxiway incident at Mangalore Airport in 2019. Described by a senior official as efficient and diligent, Larhga served as a chief investigator in the June 12 Air India crash.

Vipin Venu Varakoth: An Air Safety Stalwart

With over 15 years of experience within the aviation regulator, Vipin Venu Varakoth currently serves as an assistant director of air safety at the DGCA's Mumbai office, a position he has held for over seven years. His LinkedIn profile indicates he previously served as an air safety officer for a similar duration, underscoring his deep understanding of air safety protocols.

Veeraragavan K: From Tech to Air Safety

A colleague of Varakoth's at the DGCA's Mumbai office, Veeraragavan K has been an assistant director of air safety for close to four years. Prior to this, he spent nine years in Delhi as an air safety officer. His diverse professional journey also includes a brief stint as an analysis engineer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Chennai, showcasing a strong analytical background.

Vaishnav Vijayakumar: On the Frontlines of Investigations

As a serving air safety officer at the DGCA, Vaishnav Vijayakumar is actively involved in multiple investigations concerning aircraft accidents and other serious incidents within the aviation sector. His hands-on experience is crucial in gathering and analyzing critical data from crash sites and related incidents.

This highly qualified team faces the immense responsibility of determining the cause of the AI-171 tragedy, providing answers to the grieving families, and implementing measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.