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Most air crashes are caused by multiple factors. The investigation is focusing at least partly on engine thrust, Reuters reported last month.
While the report from Indian investigators could be made public on Friday, the three sources cautioned to Reuters that plans could change and there was no clarity on how much information would be available in the document, which comes about 30 days after the June 12 tragedy.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is leading the probe under international rules, did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside normal business hours.
Investigation dogged by questions
Questions over a lack of information have dogged the probe, after investigators took about two weeks to download flight recorder data after the crash. The Indian government has held only one press conference on the incident, and no questions were taken.
However, India reversed an earlier decision reported by Reuters to prevent a UN aviation investigator from joining the probe, two senior sources said.
The doomed airliner was in the air for about a minute after take-off before it descended and hit buildings on the ground. Credit: Bloomberg
A specialist from the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was granted observer status, following an unusual request by the agency to offer its support.
ICAO declined to comment, adding in a statement that any public discussion of “co-operative arrangements”, would require authorisation by the state.
The crash is challenging the Tata Group’s ambitious campaign to restore Air India’s reputation and revamp its fleet, after taking the carrier over from the government in 2022.
India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, with New Delhi saying it wants the country to become a job-creating global aviation hub along the lines of Dubai, which currently handles much of the country’s international traffic.
A panel of Indian politicians will review safety in the country’s civil aviation sector and has invited several industry and government officials to answer questions on Wednesday, with topics set to include the recent plane crash.
Reuters
