India Supreme Court Slams Aviation Authorities Over Air India Crash Handling

The Supreme Court of India has sharply criticised the country’s aviation authorities for their handling of the aftermath of the deadly Air India crash that killed 261 people in June.

The flight, bound for Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed shortly after take-off, killing 242 passengers and 19 people on the ground. Only one person survived.

The court condemned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for “irresponsible” media leaks suggesting pilot error caused the disaster. Judges stressed that such claims were “very unfortunate and irresponsible” and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government respond before ruling on a petition calling for an independent probe.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report in July stated fuel supply to the engines was cut seconds after take-off. Cockpit recordings revealed one pilot asking, “why did he cut off,” while the other insisted he did not. However, the report’s findings have been challenged by aviation safety group Safety Matters Foundation, which insists on an independent investigation.

Concerns over aviation safety have since intensified. Although DGCA chief defended India’s record, its audit in July found 51 safety violations at Air India in the previous year.

Adding to the fallout, families of four victims have filed a lawsuit in the US against Boeing and Honeywell, accusing them of negligence and ignoring known risks in the aircraft’s design.

The Supreme Court’s remarks have intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in India’s aviation sector.

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