The skies over Ahmedabad turned to fire Thursday as an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London with 242 souls aboard, plummeted into a residential neighborhood moments after takeoff. The catastrophic crash left over 200 dead, with rescue teams clawing through smoldering wreckage in a desperate search for survivors—only one of whom has so far been found. As governments worldwide issue hollow condolences and Boeing’s stock plunges, critical questions remain unanswered: Was this a mechanical failure, human error, or something far more sinister? The unfolding tragedy is under investigation, for the aviation industry has recently been plagued by corruption and negligence.

Key points:

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing at least 204 passengers and crew.

Only one confirmed survivor—British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—has been identified after reportedly jumping from the plane before impact.

The crash site, a densely populated residential area, suffered additional casualties, including three medical students.

Boeing shares dropped 8% pre-market as scrutiny mounts over the Dreamliner’s safety record.

Global leaders, including UK PM Keir Starmer and Canadian PM Mark Carney, offered condolences but no substantive explanations.

Global reactions pouring in

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson addressed the media following the crash of Flight AI-171, expressing deep sorrow and pledging full support for victims' families. The Boeing 787-8, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it crashed shortly after takeoff. Nationalities onboard included 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian passenger.

Wilson confirmed injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals and emphasized Air India’s collaboration with authorities in emergency response efforts. A specialized care team is en route to Ahmedabad to assist families, and a helpline (1-800-56-91444) has been established for inquiries.

Acknowledging unanswered questions, Wilson stressed the airline’s commitment to sharing accurate updates, avoiding speculation, and supporting investigations. "This is a difficult day for all of us," he said, vowing around-the-clock efforts to aid affected families and investigators.

World leaders rushed to offer condolences, yet their platitudes ring hollow without action. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lamented the loss of British lives but sidestepped questions about Boeing’s UK ties. Canadian PM Mark Carney mourned the sole Canadian victim but avoided scrutiny of Canada’s own Boeing fleet. Meanwhile, Indian officials, including Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, deferred blame, citing an ongoing investigation. But history shows such probes often bury the truth—as seen in the MH370 cover-up or the FBI’s whitewashing of the 737 MAX scandal.

A survivor’s miracle—or a warning ignored?

Amid the carnage, the survival of 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh stands as both a miracle and a grim indictment of aviation safety. Eyewitnesses claim Ramesh leaped from the aircraft seconds before impact, his body hurled clear of the inferno. But his account—if he recovers—may be the only firsthand testimony of what went wrong. The Boeing 787-8, marketed as a "Dreamliner," has faced repeated scrutiny over electrical system failures and battery fires since its troubled 2011 launch. In 2020, the FAA investigated potential manufacturing defects in its wings. Yet, Boeing and regulatory agencies dismissed concerns, prioritizing profits over passenger safety.

Boeing’s stock nosedived within hours of the crash, a reflexive market response to yet another disaster tied to the embattled manufacturer. The 787-8, like the ill-fated 737 MAX, has been dogged by whistleblower allegations of rushed production and ignored red flags. In 2022, a former Boeing quality manager testified before Congress that the company routinely pressured inspectors to overlook defects. The FAA, meanwhile, has been accused of regulatory capture—rubber-stamping Boeing’s self-certifications while taxpayers foot the bill for its bailouts. With no statement yet from Boeing, critics demand answers: Did cost-cutting compromises doom Flight AI171?

Sources include:

RT.com

X.com

X.com

Source link