ATF samples, CCTV grabs collected from Thiruvananthapuram

The authorities are not leaving anything to chance in the investigation into the flare-up of the Emirates Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai flight that was involved in an “operational incident” at the Dubai International Airport.

The Airports Authority of India officials have collected samples of the Aviation Turbine Fuel used for refuelling the EK 521 flight at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The officials have also collected CCTV images from the Terminal 2 building of the airport from where Boeing 777-300 ER left for Dubai at 10.37 a.m., the x-ray images of the baggage of the 300 passengers, and the VHF and radar data.

The ATF samples and the other data in the custody of AAI will be handed over to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for mandatory inquiry, as the flight originated from the Thiruvananthapuram international airport, Airport Director George G. Tharakan told

The Hindu . An inquiry would be conducted by DGCA, Dubai, too, he added.

Although the AAI official said the samples were taken as per the procedure and the DGCA norms laid out in such incidents, the move assumes significance as baggage of passengers was gutted in the fire. The authorities are not leaving anything to chance as eyewitnesses reported a deafening sound. The Airport Director said the flight left the airport at 10.37 a.m., 37 minutes behind schedule.

The use of Boeing 777-300 ER, instead of the Airbus A330-200, normally used by it in the Thiruvanthapuram-Dubai sector, has also come in for scrutiny.

Emirates, however, said in a statement that the Boeing 777 aircraft departed at 10.19 a.m. from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and was scheduled to land at 12.50 p. m. at the Dubai International Airport.