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Air India crash: Meet the two pilots in charge

Friends and family gathered in mourning for Co-Pilot Clive Kunder, who tragically lost his life in the crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner during take-off from Ahmedabad on June 19, 2025. Investigators revealed that the aircraft's engine fuel switches were briefly turned off, causing confusion in the cockpit and raising questions about the pilots' actions. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, had an extensive flying history with over 15,600 hours of experience, including 8,596 hours on the Boeing 787, and was in contact with his family before the flight. First Officer Kunder, 32, held a commercial pilot license since 2020 and had accumulated 3,403 flying hours, with 1,128 as a co-pilot on the 787. Both pilots were remembered fondly, with Sabharwal described as a "gentleman" and Kunder celebrated for his lifelong passion for aviation. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 6 am

Sovereign, pension funds granted 5 more years for IT exemptions

The Finance Ministry has announced an extension for 40 sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and pension funds (PFs) to invest in India and benefit from tax exemptions, now valid until March 31, 2030. Previously set to expire on March 31, 2025, this extension allows income earned from investments made by that date to remain exempt from Income Tax. Notable beneficiaries include MIC Redwood 1 RSC Limited and AIMCo India Infrastructure Limited. The exemption, outlined in Clause (23FE) of Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, applies to dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains, provided certain conditions are met, such as not engaging in commercial activities beyond the investment. Additionally, the Finance Act 2024 has reclassified capital gains from unlisted debt securities as short-term, impacting tax exemptions for SWFs and PFs. These amendments aim to bolster foreign investment in India's infrastructure sector. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 12 pm

"India's Agri Renaissance: Balancing Subsidies, Sustainability, and Innovation"

India's agriculture is deeply intertwined with its cultural identity, serving as the backbone of rural life and traditions. Recent initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Soil Health Cards have bolstered farmers with financial aid and data insights, yet the relationship with the land remains spiritual rather than merely transactional. To compete with China's agricultural advancements, India must leverage technology while honoring its agrarian roots, promoting sustainable practices like organic farming and water conservation. Grassroots innovations, such as Sikkim's organic shift, highlight the potential for local traditions to drive sustainable growth, though challenges like uneven tech access persist. As India navigates global trade and resists genetically modified crops, it emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Ultimately, India's agricultural future must blend modern intelligence with ancient wisdom, fostering a system that nurtures both the environment and the communities that depend on it. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 12 pm

Key Events Following AI 171 Crash: From Impact to Investigation

In a tragic incident on June 12, an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 260 people, including 242 on board and many on the ground. The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated near an emergency exit. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation, with a preliminary report released and a final report expected within a year. Following the crash, Air India has implemented a 'Safety Pause,' reducing international and domestic flights to conduct additional aircraft checks. The DGCA has mandated enhanced safety inspections of the airline's Boeing fleet. In response to the tragedy, Tata Sons, Air India's parent company, announced compensation of ₹1 crore for victims' families and ₹25 lakh for survivors, while also providing psychological support to affected families. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 10 am

"Boeing to Maintain Support for Investigation"

Boeing has expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which occurred during take-off from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report detailing the harrowing events that unfolded within 90 seconds of take-off, where both engines unexpectedly shut down due to the inadvertent movement of fuel cut-off switches. This led to a catastrophic loss of thrust and a rapid descent, with the pilots attempting to restore engine power. Despite briefly regaining thrust in one engine, the aircraft could not stabilize and ultimately crashed into residential buildings outside the airport perimeter. The final report is anticipated in the coming months, marking this incident as one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 9 am

Air India Crash: Preliminary Report Blames Engine Shutdown

In a tragic incident, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, resulting in the loss of 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground. A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that both engines shut down just three seconds after reaching a peak speed of 180 knots due to both fuel control switches transitioning from 'run' to 'cutoff' mode. The report did not specify the cause of this switch change, but cockpit recordings indicated confusion between the pilots regarding the fuel cutoff. The aircraft's backup system, the Ram Air Turbine, activated automatically following the engine shutdown, and the flight data recorder confirmed an automatic relight sequence was initiated. Boeing has pledged to support the ongoing investigation into this devastating crash. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 9 am

June 2025: Domestic air passenger traffic rises 5% YoY

Domestic air passenger traffic in India rose by 5.1% year-on-year in June 2025, reaching approximately 13.87 million, according to credit ratings agency ICRA. Despite this growth, there was a slight sequential decline of 1.3% compared to May 2025. Airlines increased their capacity by 4.9% from June 2024, although it fell by 2.3% from the previous month. ICRA maintains a 'Stable' outlook for the Indian aviation sector, but warns of potential risks from geopolitical tensions, including rising crude oil prices linked to the Israel-Iran conflict and airspace closures over Iran and Pakistan. Operating costs have surged due to recent operational challenges, yet passenger traffic and pricing have remained stable. For FY2026, domestic air traffic is projected to grow by 7-10%, while international traffic is expected to rise by 15-20%, though both remain subject to geopolitical scrutiny. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 8 am

Air India crash: Engine fuel control switches explained

A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787, which claimed 260 lives shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has revealed critical insights regarding the aircraft's fuel control switches. These switches, designed to regulate fuel flow to the engines, were briefly switched to 'CUTOFF' just seconds after departure, leading to a loss of engine power. Cockpit recordings captured a conversation between the pilots, with one questioning the other about the fuel cutoff, to which the response was a denial of any action taken. The switches were later found in the 'RUN' position at the crash site. Aviation experts emphasize that such switches are not easily moved accidentally, and it is highly unusual for a pilot to turn them off during flight. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 6 am

Engine failure led to Air India flight crash: report

A preliminary report into the crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has revealed that both engines shut down just seconds into the flight. The aircraft, operating flight AI171 to London Gatwick, lost 241 lives onboard and 19 on the ground when it crashed into a hostel compound. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the fuel control switches transitioned to ‘cutoff’ mode, but the cause remains undetermined. Cockpit recordings indicated confusion among the pilots regarding the engine shutdown. While one engine began an automatic relight, the other failed to recover, leading to the crash. The report ruled out weather, airworthiness, and pilot error as factors, and the investigation, involving multiple agencies including the US National Transportation Safety Board, is ongoing, with a final report expected within a year. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 3 am

Inside the cockpit: Air India's Dreamliner disaster moments

A preliminary report into the tragic Air India Dreamliner crash last month, which claimed 260 lives, has revealed critical details about the incident. The investigation indicates that both engines shut down just seconds after take-off due to their fuel cutoff switches unexpectedly flipping from RUN to CUTOFF, depriving the engines of fuel. The sequence of events on June 12 began with the aircraft's landing in Ahmedabad at 05:47 GMT, followed by its departure at 07:48 GMT. After take-off at 08:08:39 GMT, the engines' fuel supply was abruptly halted, leading to a rapid loss of altitude. Cockpit recordings captured a conversation between the pilots, with one questioning the cutoff action. Despite attempts to restore engine power, only one engine managed to relight, while the other continued to lose speed. A MAYDAY call was made shortly before the data recording ceased, marking a devastating end to the flight. sources

Published:
Jul 12 2025, 5 am

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