The Supreme Court on Monday labelled parts of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the June 12 Air India crash as “irresponsible” for suggesting pilot error and issued notices to the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding an independent, fair, and expeditious investigation.
The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, killed 265 people, including 241 passengers and crew, after the plane struck a medical hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh responded to the PIL filed by Safety Matters Foundation, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan. The NGO, led by Captain Amit Singh, alleges a conflict of interest in the AAIB probe, as three panel members were from the DGCA, which is also under scrutiny.
Bhushan sought full disclosure of the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder transcripts, and electronic aircraft fault data, arguing that the preliminary report’s claim of a “fuel cutoff switch” error lacks transparency and violates rights to life, equality, and truthful information.
The court emphasised the need for a final report while cautioning that premature data release could compromise confidentiality and be exploited by rival airlines. It limited its notice to ensuring a free, fair, and swift investigation. The crash, which left only one survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national, killed 169 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.
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The PIL underscores concerns about aviation safety and regulatory oversight, with the court directing the Centre and DGCA to respond within two weeks. The case highlights the urgency of a transparent probe to address public trust and prevent future tragedies.
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