New Delhi – The Supreme Court on Monday sought replies from the Union government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the investigation into the Air India crash in Gujarat on June 12. The court emphasized the need for a “free, fair, impartial, and expeditious” inquiry. The matter arose after a petition by the Safety Matters Foundation, which highlighted delays and concerns over the credibility of the ongoing probe.
A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotishwar Singh issued notices to both the Centre and the DGCA, granting them two weeks to respond. At the heart of the issue is the preliminary report released by the DGCA, which implied that one of the pilots might have caused the Air India crash by inadvertently moving the fuel control switches. The court described such selective disclosures as “very unfortunate.”
Petition Flags Conflict of Interest in Probe
During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, argued that more than 100 days had passed since the Air India crash, yet there was “no clarity on what happened, why it happened, and what preventive measures are needed.” He further pointed out that three out of five members on the probe panel belong to the DGCA, an authority that itself is under scrutiny.
The petition underscored that this creates a conflict of interest, compromising the credibility of the inquiry into the Air India crash. It argued that unless an independent investigator is appointed, public trust in the investigation would be undermined.
Court on Confidentiality and Pilot Blame
The bench acknowledged the demand for impartiality but questioned why every detail of the Air India crash should be made public before the investigation concludes. When Bhushan pressed for the release of the flight data recorder, the judges remarked that such disclosures could only follow the final report.
The court also criticized the preliminary report’s selective attribution of blame to the pilots, who died in the Air India crash, stressing that such leaks could harm the dignity of the deceased and their families. “Privacy and dignity must be respected,” the bench stated, warning that premature disclosures risk misrepresenting facts.
Court Calls for Speedy and Unbiased Inquiry
The bench reiterated that investigations into the Air India crash must be completed swiftly and without room for rumor or exploitation. It noted that rival airlines often take advantage of air mishaps to tarnish reputations. The judges clarified that the current notice to the Centre and DGCA is strictly limited to ensuring a fair and expert-led investigation.
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Details of the Air India Crash
On June 12, Air India Flight AI-171, bound for London, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed, killing 229 passengers, all 12 crew, and 19 people on the ground. Several others sustained serious injuries.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the probe, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and Boeing representatives. Despite this, questions about transparency continue to overshadow the Air India crash inquiry.
DGCA’s Preliminary Findings
The DGCA’s preliminary report revealed that both engine fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” just seconds after takeoff, leading to a loss of thrust. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the cutoff, while the other denied responsibility.
Although one engine began to recover when the switches were reset to “RUN,” the aircraft could not regain altitude. A Mayday call was made moments before the Air India crash. The report further mentioned the automatic deployment of the Ram Air Turbine, a backup power system.
Past Safety Warning Ignored
The petition also highlighted that in 2018, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin. It warned of possible disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature in the same aircraft model. However, compliance was never ensured since the directive was advisory, not mandatory. The foundation argued that this failure may have contributed to the Air India crash.
Larger Implications for Passenger Safety
The petition stressed that the importance of the case extends beyond the June 12 Air India crash. It argued that the plea is aimed at ensuring safer skies for countless passengers who continue to fly, relying on the belief that aviation safety standards are robust and credible.
By seeking court-monitored oversight, the foundation aims to restore faith in the investigative process and prevent future tragedies. The Supreme Court has now put the onus on the Union government and DGCA to provide clarity and accountability in their responses over the Air India crash.
