On-Board Explosion Caused Air-India Crash, Report Says

NEW DELHI —  After ruling out all other possible causes, a top Indian investigator said an explosion apparently occurred on the Air-India jumbo jet that crashed into the Atlantic last June, killing all 329 people aboard.

Hoshiar Singh Khola, India’s director of air safety, said in a report obtained by the Associated Press today that he based the finding on analysis of the cockpit voice recorder and air control tower tapes.

“It appears that an explosion occurred on board the aircraft” at 7:14 a.m. June 23, Khola said in his 78-page report.

The report ruled out collision with another plane, missile attack, fire or lightning as possible causes of the crash.

Two Sikhs were arrested in Canada earlier this month and charged with unlawful possession of explosives in connection with the crash and a Tokyo airport bomb explosion the same day. They were released later on bail.