Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran addressed employees through an internal letter following the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. Describing 12 June as one of the “darkest days in the Tata Group’s history,” he expressed deep grief over the incident that resulted in over 240 deaths.
Crash Details and Casualties
The ill-fated flight, bound for London, crashed just seconds after take-off into a medical college in Ahmedabad. It was the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 model and became one of the deadliest air disasters in India. Everyone on board died except one passenger seated on 11A. The victims included five MBBS students, one postgraduate doctor, and the wife of a senior doctor from the medical college.
Chandrasekaran’s Message to Employees
In his message, Chandrasekaran shared the collective sorrow of the organisation and assured support for the victims’ families. He wrote that the tragedy was “incomprehensible” and that the loss of so many lives at once has left the Tata Group in shock.
“To lose a single person is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible,” he wrote. “Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them.”
Assurances of Transparency and Support
He reassured that the Tata Group is fully cooperating with investigative teams from India, the UK, and the US, and pledged complete transparency in uncovering the cause of the crash.
“We will be completely transparent about the findings. We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you,” Chandrasekaran said.
He acknowledged the widespread speculation but urged patience until trained investigators complete their work. Emphasising the group’s responsibility, he said they will not retreat from their duty to do what is right.
Safety Measures Initiated by DGCA
In response to the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated safety inspections for Air India’s Boeing 787-8/9 fleet starting 15 June. These one-time pre-departure checks include:
- Fuel system and compressor inspections
- Electronic engine control-system testing
- Oil and hydraulic system reviews
- Operational checks of fuel-driven actuators
- Review of take-off parameters
The move is aimed at ensuring no technical faults are overlooked in future operations.
A Commitment to Responsibility
Chandrasekaran ended his letter with a firm commitment to uphold the group’s values of trust and care.
“We built this Group on trust and care. It is a difficult moment, but we will not retreat from our responsibilities. We will carry this loss. We will not forget.”
The Tata Group, which took over Air India with a vision of safety and trust, now faces one of its toughest moments in recent history.
