CourtKutchehry

Supreme Court Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Remarks in Air India Crash Report, Orders Fair and Independent Probe

Court questions preliminary findings hinting at pilot error in Ahmedabad tragedy

Petition seeks release of full flight data and removal of conflict of interest in probe panel

By Our Legal Reporter

New Delhi, September 22, 2025:

The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticised certain remarks in the preliminary investigation report into the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, calling them “irresponsible” and potentially damaging to the credibility of the probe.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh issued notices to the Union Government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking their response to a petition demanding a free, fair, independent, and time-bound investigation into the disaster.

The petition was filed by the Safety Matters Foundation, an aviation safety NGO led by Captain Amit Singh (FRAeS), and represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan. The NGO has raised serious concerns about the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)’s July 12 preliminary report, which it says unfairly suggested pilot error while withholding crucial technical data.

The Crash: One of India’s Worst Aviation Disasters

On June 12, 2025, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off.

The tragedy claimed 265 lives — 241 passengers and crew on board and 24 people on the ground. Among the victims were 169 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.

The sole survivor was Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national.

Court’s Concerns Over Preliminary Report

The AAIB’s preliminary report stated that the crash may have been caused by the “fuel cutoff switches” being moved from “run” to “cutoff” — a finding that effectively pointed to pilot error.

The Supreme Court said such remarks were “irresponsible” at the preliminary stage, especially when the full investigation was still underway. Justice Kant observed that confidentiality in such matters is critical to avoid speculation, protect the dignity of those involved, and prevent misuse of sensitive data by rival airlines.

The bench also noted that selective leaks of the report to international media had created a narrative blaming the pilots even before the official release in India — something the court described as “unfortunate”.

Conflict of Interest Allegations

The petitioners argued that the probe panel included three serving DGCA officials, raising a conflict of interest since the DGCA is also the aviation regulator responsible for oversight of safety standards.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the court that this arrangement undermines the independence of the investigation and could compromise public trust.

The NGO has demanded that the investigation be conducted by an independent expert body with no direct stake in the outcome.

Call for Transparency: Release of Flight Data

The petition also seeks the public release of:

Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) output
Complete Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts with time stamps
Electronic Aircraft Fault Recording (EAFR) data

According to the NGO, these records are essential for a transparent and objective understanding of the accident.

The plea argues that withholding such information violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution — the right to equality and the right to life — as well as the public’s right to truthful information.

Government’s Position and Court’s Limited Notice

While the court acknowledged that some data cannot be casually released due to commercial sensitivity and privacy concerns, it stressed that transparency is indispensable for public confidence.

The bench clarified that its notice to the Centre and DGCA is limited to ensuring a free, fair, independent, and expeditious investigation.

The court also urged the AAIB to expedite the final report so that the causes of the crash can be established without unnecessary delay.

Public and Industry Reaction

The case has sparked intense debate in aviation circles. Safety experts say the ruling is a wake-up call for India’s aviation safety oversight, which has faced criticism for underfunding and staff shortages.

In March 2025, a parliamentary panel had flagged the AAIB’s limited resources, warning that the agency was struggling to keep pace with the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector.

Captain Amit Singh, founder of Safety Matters Foundation, said after the hearing:

“This is not about blaming individuals. It’s about ensuring that the investigation is thorough, independent, and credible. Only then can we prevent such tragedies in the future.”

Why This Case Matters

This is not just about one crash — it’s about how India investigates aviation accidents. The Supreme Court’s intervention could set a precedent for greater transparency and independence in future probes.

The case also highlights the tension between confidentiality and public accountability in aviation safety investigations. While international norms under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stress the need to protect sensitive safety data, they also require that investigations be free from undue influence.

Next Steps

The Supreme Court will hear the matter again after the Centre and DGCA file their responses.

If the court orders changes to the probe structure or mandates the release of more data, it could reshape how accident investigations are conducted in India.

For now, the families of the victims — and the lone survivor — continue to wait for answers.

Key Takeaways for Readers

Grand scale tragedy – 265 lives lost in one of India’s worst aviation disasters.
Court slams premature blame – Remarks hinting at pilot error called “irresponsible.”
Conflict of interest concerns – DGCA officials on probe panel questioned.
Transparency push – Petition seeks release of full flight data and voice recordings.
Potential precedent – Case could change how India handles aviation accident probes.

SC Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Air India Crash Report, Orders Probe