Tata Group Will Be Completely ‘Transparent’ in Air India Plane Crash Findings, Says Chief

Air India Plane Crash: The tragic aviation disaster after Air India Flight AI171 crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in the death of 241 people, has shaken the entire nation. The incident has left the Tata Group, which took over Air India in January 2022 with safety as its top priority, shocked, and it has expressed deep sorrow and regret. Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, in a heartfelt letter to employees, described June 12 as "one of the darkest days in the group's history", following the deadly Air India flight crash.

Chandrasekaran expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, saying, "What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible." He assured that the group would cooperate fully with the investigation and provide transparent communication about the findings once verified.

A team of investigators from India, the UK, and the US has arrived in Ahmedabad to probe the cause of the crash. The aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation, and forensic teams are working at the scene to gather crucial evidence. The group has assured that it will cooperate fully with the investigation and provide transparent communication about the findings.

The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety, and the Tata Group has reiterated its commitment to prioritising passenger safety. "When we took over Air India, ensuring the safety of its passengers was our first and foremost priority," Chandrasekaran emphasised.

Air India is providing emergency support to the families of the victims, showing its commitment to those affected by the tragedy.

The crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, occurred minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, impacting a residential area. Investigative teams from India, the UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to probe the cause of the crash.

The flight was carrying 230 passengers, including 169 Indians and 53 British nationals, along with 12 crew members. Miraculously, only one person survived the crash. However, the death toll has risen to at least 265, with many more injured. Forensic teams are on the scene, and aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation.

In his letter, Natarajan Chandrasekaran wrote: 

"Dear Colleagues,

This is a very difficult moment. What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible. This is one of the darkest days in the Tata Group's history. Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them.

I want to say that, like you, we want to understand what happened. We don't know right now, but we will. You know that in the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings. We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you. The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday.

Right now, our very human instinct is to look for explanations that make sense of the calamity. There is plenty of speculation all around us. Some of it may be right, some of it may be wrong. I want to urge patience. We witnessed an enormous loss of life yesterday. Why this routine flight turned into a calamity is something trained investigators will help us understand when their work is complete. Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place.

As a Group trusted by so many, when we took over Air India, ensuring the safety of its passengers was our first and foremost priority. There was no compromising on it.

None of this matters to the people who suffered devastating losses yesterday. At this time, we can only assure them of our full support. We will pull together as a Group and find ways to help them.

We built this Group on trust and care. It is a difficult moment, but we will not retreat from our responsibilities, from doing what is right. We will carry this loss. We will not forget."