The Supreme Court of India is closely scrutinizing the investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad airport. The court has expressed concerns regarding the fairness, impartiality, and transparency of the ongoing inquiry, emphasizing that the probe must be conducted swiftly and without leaks.
Flight AI171, operated by Air India, was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 229 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Additionally, 19 people on the ground were killed, and 67 were seriously injured when the plane crashed into a medical hostel near the airport. The incident marked the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since it began service in 2011.
The Supreme Court's intervention followed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Safety Matters Foundation, an aviation safety NGO. The petition raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the investigation, particularly the inclusion of officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the probe panel. The NGO argued that the investigation should be independent, as it necessarily involves a critical examination of the DGCA's own regulatory actions and possible lapses. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, highlighted reports that appeared to blame the pilots for the crash.
The court acknowledged the "unfortunate" nature of media reports attributing the crash to "pilot error," especially given that these reports seemed to be based on preliminary findings leaked from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The AAIB's preliminary report, released on July 12, 2025, indicated that the plane's engines lost thrust after fuel control switches moved to the "cutoff" position shortly after takeoff. Cockpit audio revealed a pilot's confusion, with one asking, "Why did you cut off?", and the other replying, "I didn't".
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the central government, the DGCA, and the AAIB, seeking their responses to the petition. The court has directed the respondents to ensure a free, fair, impartial, independent, and expeditious investigation by an expert body. The next hearing is scheduled for late October 2025. The court will assess the fairness of the probe and consider the possibility of forming an independent expert panel, potentially involving international organizations such as the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
While acknowledging the petitioner's demand for a fair inquiry, the court also stressed the need to maintain confidentiality during the investigation. It expressed reluctance to make all findings public, recognizing that premature disclosures could be detrimental to the probe and could unfairly impact individuals or organizations. The court noted that in such tragedies, there is a risk of unfairly blaming the airline, while manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus might escape scrutiny.
The Safety Matters Foundation's petition also challenged the AAIB's preliminary report, alleging that it was incomplete, selective, and lacking in transparency. The petition claimed that the report violated Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, which mandate full disclosure of factual data gathered during the early stages of an inquiry. The NGO further argued that the preliminary report failed to incorporate or acknowledge the testimony of the sole surviving passenger. The petition emphasized that citizens entrust their lives to air travel with the expectation that the state will ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in accident investigations.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the critical importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation into the Air India crash. The court's focus on fairness, impartiality, and transparency aims to ensure that the investigation not only uncovers the truth behind the tragedy but also safeguards the lives of future passengers by addressing potential systemic risks.
