AHMEDABAD, India — U.S. investigators arrived at the crash site of an Air India Boeing 787-8 in Ahmedabad on Sunday, following the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade. The flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing at least 271 people.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials joined Indian authorities in the recovery and investigative efforts. Boeing and GE Aviation, whose engines were fitted on the aircraft, also dispatched technical teams.
The flight carried 242 passengers and crew. It lost altitude within seconds of takeoff and slammed into buildings near the airport, triggering a massive fireball. Only one person on board survived. At least 30 more people on the ground were also confirmed dead, bringing the total casualty count to 271.
Crews from the Indian Army’s engineering corps continued to clear debris on Sunday as forensic teams worked to identify the remains. Many victims were severely burned, making identification difficult.
Dr. Rajnish Patel, additional superintendent at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, confirmed that DNA from 32 crash victims had been matched with family samples. “The bodies for which DNA samples have been matched are being handed over to the families with due respect,” he said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation confirmed Friday that Secretary Sean Duffy authorized the deployment of NTSB and FAA personnel to assist India’s investigation. “We’ll take action should any recommendations come forward from the NTSB’s investigation,” Duffy stated.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, U.S. officials focused on possible failures related to engine thrust, flap configuration, and the aircraft’s landing gear, which was reportedly not retracted before impact. Boeing inspectors are analyzing flight data and the angle of descent to determine whether mechanical or procedural errors played a role.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian carriers as a precaution.
Boeing, still recovering from public scrutiny over past safety failures, now faces renewed pressure. The crash also complicates Air India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and restore confidence among passengers.
The FAA confirmed that India is leading the investigation, with the NTSB providing support as the official U.S. representative, in line with international aviation agreements.
Officials on the ground in Ahmedabad reported that at least 10 foreign and domestic investigators were present at the crash site on Sunday, working alongside Indian recovery teams.
As recovery and investigations continue, grieving families are demanding faster identification and full transparency. Many remain outside hospitals and morgues, waiting for word on loved ones.
The full cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Investigators are expected to analyze flight data recorders and cockpit voice recordings in the coming days.
The Air India tragedy marks the worst aviation disaster since 2014 and has raised urgent questions about aircraft safety, emergency protocols, and airline oversight in India and abroad.
