Supreme Court Plea Seeks Independent Probe into Air India Crash Report

Fast Summary

• A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored independent inquiry into the June 12 air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people,including 19 on the ground.
• The crash involved a London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with only one survivor.
• Non-profit Safety matters Foundation, led by amit Singh (former pilot), challenges the preliminary Aircraft Accident investigation Bureau (AAIB) report for selective disclosure of facts and alleged bias.
• Key demands include full release of Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) output, Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcript with timestamps, recorded fault messages, and technical advisories.
• AAIB’s report indicates engine shutdown caused by fuel control switches transitioning to “CUTOFF” instantly after takeoff but lacks clarity on whether it was deliberate or inadvertent.
• The plea raises concerns about victims’ justice and public faith in aviation safety and alleges conflict of interest due to DGCA’s involvement in the probe team.
• It states premature attribution to pilot error overlooks potential systemic faults and violates constitutional rights under Articles 21 & 14.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This case highlights critical issues surrounding aviation safety protocols and investigation clarity in India. The petition underscores potential systemic vulnerabilities within regulatory oversight mechanisms while deeply questioning procedural fairness due to possible conflicts of interest involving DGCA officials. A transparent inquiry is not only vital for delivering justice to victims but also essential for safeguarding future passengers against similar risks.

The implications extend beyond this isolated incident; they reflect public trust in India’s investigative bodies governing civil aviation. Ensuring accountability could set stronger precedents for unbiased investigations into aviation accidents nationwide while addressing any gaps between accident probes and their regulatory overseers’ roles.

read more: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-has-preliminary-crash-report-uncovered