AHMEDABAD/NEW DELHI: Role of ground handling (GH) staff, including those who have migrated from Turkey company Celebi whose contract has been annulled as well as maintenance and engineering services, could hold a vital clue in the investigations into the possibility of sabotage that led to the fatal crash of Air India’s Gatwick-bound AI 171 Boeing Dreamliner that led to death of death of 242 passengers.
Even as India has commissioned a full investigation by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), sources in MoCA’s Directorate of civil aviation (DGCA) and Bureau of civil aviation security (BCAS) confirmed that a multi-level probe has begun on the GH staff from Celebi that has been absorbed by other operators across Indian airports.
While the probe awaits the data interpretations of Flight Data Recorder (FDR), Cockpit Voice Recorder and ACARs, the suspicion needle has surfaced after the awkward position of the landing gear that wasn’t up even at 600 feet.
“Boeing aircraft rely on hydraulic systems to power critical functions like the landing gear. In the case of AI 171, a Boeing 787, it’s equipped with three independent hydraulic systems—each with a reservoir and two pumps delivering fluid at around 5,000 psi. This pressurized fluid is essential for operating many onboard systems. So, when the pilot tried to say ‘Mayday,’ it’s possible he had noticed irregular hydraulic pressure readings at that moment,” AAIB sources told The New Indian.
AAIB sources further said that the maintenance personnel or GH Staff can refill the hydraulic reservoirs, ensuring that the systems have enough fluid to operate efficiently.
In India, several airlines mandatorily deploy maintenance and engineering firms such as AIESL, Air Works, Lufthansa Tecnik, Turkish Technic and similar MRO firms for daily checking their aircraft.
At the moment, there is no confirmation which maintenance or engineering firm Air India was using at Ahmedabad airport.
“And this is where the role of GH staff and maintenance personnel who moved from Celebi or other companies is under our lens,” said AAIB sources.
AAIB sources further told The New Indian that flaps (wings) of the AI 171 were not in usual 5-15 position, indicating that hydraulic failure could be one of the causes of problem in the take-off apart from the weight.
“It’s the hydraulic pressure that manages critical components like the landing gear, nose wheel steering, and wing devices (like flaps) to function smoothly. If you look at the wing position, it’s not anywhere between 5 or 15 position,” said AAIB officials, saying why neither terror, sabotage angle or mechanical failure can’t be ruled out till the final conclusion at the end of investigations.
Indian government on May 16 had appointed the multi-crore hospitality major Bird Group (that manages a portfolio of Roseate hotels in UK and India) along with Air India SATS as the two primary ground handling (GH) operators, hours after annulling the operations of controversial Turkey company Celebi.
The Turkish company was handling contracts at airports in Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Kannur, Cochin, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
Also, Celebi Cargo terminal and entire cargo operations shall be now taken over by DIAL ( the GMR Group).
GMR group in Delhi was asked to retain all existing Celebi Cargo staff on the payrolls of the primary company to handle the cargo services.
“Our investigations will conduct interrogation of GMR, AI SATS and other staff at both Delhi and Ahmedabad airports,” said senior officials.
More than 430 ex-employees of Celebi had shifted to AI SATS, Bird and other companies for GH temporarily at various airports.
AISATS itself doesn’t operate at Ahmedabad.
A Mayday call was made shortly after takeoff, indicating the aircraft was experiencing a serious emergency.
According to experts, as the aircraft began to lose lift, the pilots likely tried to pitch the nose upward, but the plane continued to descend.
They noted that the aircraft reached a maximum speed of only 174 knots — significantly lower than expected — suggesting that the engines were not delivering adequate thrust.
“Which is why all angles must be explored. And everyone is under the lens from GH to technical teams to any outsourced teams for Air India in Delhi, Gatwick and Ahmedabad. Of course Boeing India and DGCA supervisors will be made accountable too and their statements may be recorded later,” said a senior AAIB official.
