Air India Plane Crash: Key Recovery Work, Evidence Collection Completed

The investigation into the tragic Air India plane crash is progressing steadily and key recovery work, including site documentation and evidence collection, has been completed and their analysis is underway, the Union government said on Thursday.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau started its probe last week into the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad that claimed at least 270 lives, including those at a medical college campus.

"The AAIB investigation on Air India plane crash progressing steadily with all necessary support from local authorities and agencies," a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

A combined unit of the digital flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder was recovered from the crash site on June 13 and another set was found on June 16.

The ministry also clarified reports that the CVR and DFDR had been sent to the US for probe, saying: "The decision regarding the location for decoding the flight recorders will be taken by the AAIB after due assessment of all technical, safety and security considerations."

"The Ministry of Civil Aviation urge all stakeholders to refrain from speculation on such sensitive matters and to allow the investigative process to proceed with the seriousness and professionalism it warrants," it added.