The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has disclosed the names and profiles of the five-member team appointed to investigate the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed at least 260 people, including 19 on the ground. The agency confirmed that the investigation is being led by its director, Sanjay Kumar Singh.
The ill-fated London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport and crashed into a nearby medical college hostel. The devastating accident resulted in the death of all but one of the 242 passengers and crew onboard, marking it as India’s deadliest aviation disaster in more than a decade.
According to AAIB’s preliminary report released Friday night, the aircraft took off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:38:39 IST), and less than 30 seconds later, a distress signal — “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” — was transmitted by the pilot.
In the aftermath of the crash, AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar constituted a special five-member investigation panel. Below are the officials spearheading the probe:
Sanjay Kumar Singh – Investigator-in-Charge
Currently serving as Director at AAIB, Singh brings over 15 years of experience in aircraft accident investigations. He has led probes into 15 previous aviation accidents or serious incidents and has reviewed more than 300 reported safety occurrences. An aeronautical engineer with an MBA, Singh also has over 25 years of consulting and operational experience, including work with Air Force assets.
Jasbir Singh Larhga
A seasoned investigator, Larhga has been associated with AAIB for over a decade and previously worked at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Pawan Hans, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. He was also involved in high-profile investigations like the Kozhikode Air India Express crash in 2020. Described by colleagues as diligent and efficient, he played a key role in this current investigation as well.
Vipin Venu Varakoth
An Assistant Director of Air Safety at DGCA’s Mumbai office, Varakoth has more than 15 years of experience in aviation safety. He previously served as an air safety officer and has contributed to multiple aircraft accident investigations over the years.
Veeraragavan K
Also based at DGCA’s Mumbai office, Veeraragavan has served as Assistant Director of Air Safety for nearly four years, after a nine-year stint in Delhi as an air safety officer. He also has a technical background, having briefly worked as an analysis engineer at Tata Consultancy Services.
Vaishnav Vijayakumar
An air safety officer at DGCA, Vijayakumar has participated in several investigations into serious aviation incidents, strengthening the bureau's efforts to enhance air safety protocols across the country.
As the probe progresses, aviation experts and the public await the final AAIB report to determine the exact cause of the catastrophic crash and ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)