Relatives of Indian Air crash victims “can’t be peaceful” until the root cause is known
The granddaughter of the victim of the Air India 171 crash said the preliminary report on the incident was “incomplete” and she “can’t be peaceful” without the person responsible.
Ria Patel told the BBC news, but added: “It really gives us a better understanding of what’s going on.
She is one of several voices in the UK, emphasizing the answer to the root cause of the crash, which happened shortly after taking off in Aharmendobad on June 12.
A preliminary report released Friday found that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s engine was cut after takeoff. An investigation is underway.
Manju Mahesh Patel, 79, was one of the 260 people killed – most of whom were passengers – and the combined planes of London fell into densely populated communities in western India.
Her granddaughter found reading the report “very heartbreaking” because images after the crash, including wreckage, were difficult to process.
“For me, I can’t stop thinking about my last moments for a certain time,” she said from her home in Buckinghamshire.
Ms. Patel’s grandmother had been living in Ahmedabad for the first few months and was doing charity work in a temple. That night, Manju’s son had been picking her up at Gatwick, and she was said to be looking forward to meeting her four grandchildren in the UK.
“It’s an opportunity to reconnect with her in ten years,” Ms. Patel said. “It’s really hard to know we won’t be able to see her again.”
Data collected from the inside of the aircraft showed that its two fuel control switches moved from “run” to a “cutoff” position in the second space shortly after takeoff.
These switches are usually closed only if the aircraft lands and reaches the gate or in an emergency. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Agency (AAIB) did not specify whether an emergency occurred in its preliminary report.
The AAIB report found that cutoffs caused both engines to lose thrust.
More information about AI171 flight
For Ms. Patel, the preliminary report still points to several theories whose findings are incomplete.
But she stressed how “extremely important” she and others are finding out the root cause of the crash.
“I don’t feel like I can really stay peaceful with what’s going on unless I understand where the responsibility lies.”
Similarly, Sameer Rafik, cousin of the crash victim Faizan Rafik, called for more details.
“The Indian government should release the cockpit audio for families who have lost their loved ones,” he said, telling the BBC that it was only after that that we knew what was going on.
Indian aviation victim Faizan Rafik’s cousin Sameer Rafik hopes to record the crashed cockpit [BBC]
53 British nationals were on board when the Indian Airlines crashed.
Miten Patel’s parents are flying back to their home in Kent, saying the report is just the beginning of a painful journey.
“There is a lot of anger, a lot of frustration,” he told the BBC from his home in south London. “But we need to know why.”
Patel is now wearing the same ring his father Ashok wore on the day of the crash and he urges patience. “It will be tough, but we need to make sure it is done right.”
Miten Patel, the eldest son of victims Ashok and Shobhana, said the investigation was important [BBC]
Dr Mario Donadi, a friend of another victim who died in an Air India crash, described the initial discovery “a huge slap on the face” in BBC 4’s program Today.
His “Dear Colleague” Dr. Prateek Joshi returns to England with his family. He photographed himself, his wife and three children before taking off.
“how [can] Such a trivial thing [as] Is a simple switch disabled, causing such a huge dream to create such a huge dream?
Dr. Prateek Joshi took a selfie with his wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, and their three children. [Supplied]
Ms Patel said she realized knowing what happened would not change what happened. “My grandmother is still not here.”
But she believes that “clear action” is needed for the relatives of the victim to feel justice – because so many lives have been lost”.
The AAIB investigation is expected to produce more detailed reports within 12 months.
A spokesman for the UK Department of Transport told the BBC that the government will review the preliminary report in detail and “consider whether any measures are needed”.
Ms Patel said her grandmother lost a clear “gap” in her life because she used to call her every weekend.
“She will miss her a lot. She is an amazing woman.”
