Indian aviation safety, its dangerous credibility deficit

The Hindu: - Published On 6 January 2026

Why in News

The investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash of June 12, 2025, has extended into 2026 without a final report, despite assurances of transparency by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Media leaks have revealed serious disagreements between India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), raising concerns about compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) norms and India’s global aviation credibility.

The AI171 Crash: What Happened

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed within one minute of takeoff from Ahmedabad.

• Casualties: 241 of 242 passengers onboard and 19 people on the ground
• Significance: Deadliest air disaster in India in over a decade

The crash occurred during the most critical phase of flight, intensifying scrutiny of aircraft systems, crew actions, and regulatory oversight.

Investigation Status and Transparency Concerns

• Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) were recovered and decoded by June 16, 2025, with assistance from the NTSB.
• The AAIB’s preliminary report (July 2025) mentioned unexplained fuel switch movements seconds after liftoff and cockpit audio indicating pilot confusion.
• No mechanical explanation or conclusive analysis was publicly shared.
• Final report delayed beyond ICAO’s recommended timelines.

Leaks published by The Wall Street Journal in July and November 2025 revealed deep friction between Indian investigators and US counterparts, allegedly over dilution of findings.

ICAO Obligations and India’s Safety Record

India is a signatory to ICAO and is bound by Annex 13, which mandates:

• Independent accident investigations
• Timely disclosure of factual information
• Protection of evidence and transparency

However:

• India’s ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) score remains stagnant at 65–70% (2024).
• This is concerning given India handles over 150 million air passengers annually.

Former ICAO leadership has stressed that lack of transparency in one country weakens global aviation safety as a whole.

Procedural Lapses After the Crash

Serious deviations from global best practices were reported:

• Crash site not properly secured; debris disturbed
• Media personnel accessed sensitive wreckage
• Airport reopened within three hours without full Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS)
• Armed protection provided to the AAIB chief, highlighting probe sensitivity

These actions violated standard international accident management protocols.

No Evidence of Systemic Aircraft Failure

Despite speculation:

• The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not ground or issue advisories for Boeing 787 aircraft.
• This strongly suggests the absence of a global design or manufacturing flaw.
• Claims of sabotage or systemic failure remain unsupported by regulatory action.

A Repeating Pattern of Safety Failures

India’s aviation history shows recurring issues:

• Mangalore crash (2010): Runway safety violations and crew fatigue concerns underplayed.
• Kozhikode crash (2020): Tabletop runway risks ignored despite prior warnings.
• Corrective measures and regulatory reforms were delayed or inadequately enforced.

Critical Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), including crew duty time norms, have seen minimal revision for over 15 years.

Regulatory Weakness and Political Interference

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has repeatedly been criticised in ICAO audits for weak enforcement.
• Regulatory decisions are often influenced by airline and political pressures.
• Post-crash misinformation on social media filled the vacuum left by official silence, further eroding public trust.

Global Best Practices: A Contrast

In contrast:

• After a UPS MD-11 crash in the US (November 2025), the NTSB issued daily briefings.
• The FAA grounded the aircraft type within days.
• Transparent communication prevented speculation and reinforced institutional trust.

India risks ICAO scrutiny and diplomatic costs by failing to meet similar standards.

Way Forward: Rebuilding Trust and Safety

To restore credibility, India must:

• Ensure independent, time-bound accident investigations
• Publicly release factual findings without political filtering
• Strengthen runway safety audits and emergency response systems
• Enforce crew rest and operational safety regulations
• Institutionalise cooperation with global aviation safety bodies

Conclusion

Transparency is not optional in aviation—it is fundamental to safety. As India’s skies grow denser, delays, opacity, and regulatory complacency increase the risk of future tragedies. Addressing the credibility deficit in aviation safety governance is essential not only for passenger confidence but for India’s standing in the global aviation ecosystem.