Saras crash probe yet to progress

The aircraft crashed on March 6, reportedly after a simulation experiment went awry in an experimental drill, when the pilots switched off one of the engines, according to sources.

A three-member team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), New Delhi that visited London with the Voice Cockpit Recorder (VCR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) recovered from the wreckage of the aircraft, has since returned after its contents were decoded/analysed data from the black boxes.

The NAL remains tight-lipped on the progress made in the probe. However, sources said the DGCA held a meeting in the national capital last week to discuss the progress achieved in the course of investigations that is yet to be completed.

Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Dr S A Nasim Zaidi who spoke to Deccan Herald over phone from New Delhi on Tuesday said, “Data from the flight data recorder and voice cockpit recorder is being analysed on a day-to-day basis. We have not arrived at any conclusion yet as to what could have caused the crash. All angles are being explored. There is no deadline to complete the investigation”

Incidentally, Dr Zaidi had earlier stated that the investigation into the crash would be completed by April end. The DGCA is also examining all possible theories that could have led to the Saras to crash, be it an experiment on fire safety or a technical snag, added sources in NAL.