The fiery flames had barely turned to dying embers, and the knives and innuendos were out. The media had found yet another trope to tarnish India’s rising stature and image. This time with the AI 171 crash.
Below are just some of the headlines from some of the reputable news agencies across the world. CNN, Sky News and the NY Times.
There is chaos in a state-run hospital, first responders are not provided with real-time information, bodies are not handed over to the relatives, no arrangements are made for the families of grieving people … This was the news on the AI crash barely a day after.
Then for day 3 and 4 it was the turn of articles and news on how poorly maintained Air India was, how the “Hindu nationalist” government had run the airline for decades and run it to the ground, how Modi the PM was tying his image with Air India’s image, how Air India had got a foreign CEO because it could not do its job .. the allegations were endless.
Then barely had the denouement against Air India and India had settled, it switched to a baseless indictment of the pilot. Speculations across the media by armchair analysts saying flaps were deployed, landing gear had not been withdrawn, nose was up …. All signs of a pilot error or worse, an incompetent one.
These concerted noises over incompetence, error, inefficiency and misplaced ambitions seem to be the theme of the blame game. Where are the facts? The flight recorder and the black box evidence were still not retrieved, let alone the data analysed.
Let us get to the brass tacks of running a commercial airline. There are four aspects of aircraft maintenance.
- The systems /electronics (navigation and safety) – usually under the manufacturer’s warranty
- The Engines – again under the manufacturer’s warranty and maintenance
- Engineering maintenance and preflight checks are done by the airline.
- General Aircraft hygiene and cosmetic maintenance – responsibility of the airline
Long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner is typically maintained through a close collaboration between the airline’s own engineers and Boeing’s global support network. The Dreamliner’s engines and core mechanical systems are largely the domain of Boeing. Major engine overhauls and system upgrades are performed under manufacturer programs. Air India’s 787 fleet was acquired under agreements that included comprehensive support from Boeing and GE. General Electric had a long-term “TrueChoice” service agreement with Air India, effectively taking charge of engine health monitoring and heavy maintenance. All maintenance and checks were performed as per GE manuals under GE supervision.
Given the above facts and the ongoing investigation into Boeing’s manufacturing flaws and whistleblower hearings in the USA, the crumb trail leads to Boeing’s door.
Clogged toilets or dirty seats or ripped seat covers, or malfunctioning entertainment screens do not crash an aircraft, and upkeep and maintenance of this was the responsibility of the individual airline.
Now for the humane side of things. A disaster which struck people of different countries. It was an unfortunate collation of probabilities at worst. It was hoped that the world would reach out, showing humanity would dominate and help the suffering heal. But this was not to be.
The sudden loss of power, stalling of engines, and a low altitude prevented any gliding or reversing back – a rash was inevitable, and to control fire from a fully loaded fuel tank of an intercontinental aircraft of this size was impossible. Medical students in the college canteen, enjoying their lunch, were completely caught off guard. While several were incinerated on the spot, many suffered horrific third-degree burns. They were as much the victims of the crash. A medical emergency was declared by the city healthcare services, so attention was indeed diverted to help the living. The embers have to cool before evidence and data, and human remains can be collected. Only then can DNA be analysed and samples matched and bodies released to relatives. This process has begun, as this piece is written, over 120 bodies have been handed over.
It is worth remembering that the crash occurred barely 7 days ago.
Now, the key question is who is behind these malicious innuendos and finger-pointing? Well, that leads to the next question … Who stands to benefit from these smears? It is worth noting that the major news agencies are the same ones with a deliberate anti-India bias and who have even posted for editorial jobs calling for those with an anti-India bias. When the pilot’s last mayday call and black box data are analysed, it will be revealed who stands to lose the most.
As the forensic examination of the voice recorder and the black box starts, there is one recurring thought among sane folks – Do these media houses have no shame? Building and projecting their hatred towards anything Indian in a tragic event like this one indicated a deep-seated hatred or vindictiveness. Or is it just plain old racism?
This is the time to find out the faults that brought down AI 171 so that another aeroplane does not crash and no more needless blood is shed.
