Ask Onix
India's Supreme Court Weighs In on Controversial Air Crash Probe
Nearly five months after Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing all 260 aboard, the investigation has sparked fierce debate-with the country's Supreme Court now questioning the focus on pilot error. The Boeing 787 plunged into a building just 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12, en route to London.
Preliminary Report Sparks Backlash
A July interim report by India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) highlighted that the plane's fuel cutoff switches were moved to the "cutoff" position shortly after takeoff, starving the engines of fuel. A cockpit voice recording captured one pilot questioning the other about the action, with the second pilot denying responsibility. The switches were later moved back, but too late to avert disaster.
The report's framing-emphasizing pilot actions-has drawn criticism for overlooking potential technical failures. Aviation safety consultant Capt. Mohan Ranganathan suggested pilot suicide as a possible cause, citing unspecified "medical history," while others, like lawyer Mike Andrews, argue the selective release of information has unfairly shifted blame.
Supreme Court Questions Pilot Blame
On November 7, Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant addressed Pushkarraj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the plane. "Nobody can blame [your son] for anything," the judge stated, responding to Sabharwal's petition for an independent judicial inquiry. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for November 10.
The court's remarks follow Air India CEO Campbell Wilson's assertion at the Aviation India 2025 summit that the preliminary report found "nothing wrong with the aircraft, the engines, or the operation of the airline." Wilson acknowledged the tragedy's devastation but distanced the airline from direct investigative involvement, noting collaboration with authorities.
Alternative Theories: Electrical Failure or Systemic Bias?
Critics argue the AAIB's report prematurely suggested pilot error while downplaying technical anomalies. Capt. Amit Singh, founder of the Safety Matters Foundation, contends evidence points to an electrical disturbance triggering the engine shutdown via the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system-potentially without physical switch manipulation.
Ed Pierson, a former Boeing senior manager and founder of the US-based Foundation for Aviation Safety (FAS), called the report "embarrassingly inadequate." His organization's review of Boeing 787 electrical issues-including water leaks in wiring bays flagged by the US Federal Aviation Administration-supports the theory of a systemic failure. Pierson accused investigators of "deliberately" deflecting blame from the aircraft.
"There were so many electrical oddities on that plane... To direct blame to the pilots without exhaustively examining system failures is flat-out wrong."
Ed Pierson, Foundation for Aviation Safety
Pressure and Protocols Under Scrutiny
Mary Schiavo, a former US Department of Transportation inspector general, attributed the report's flaws to haste amid global scrutiny. "They were in a hurry to push something out," she told the BBC, adding that the inclusion of cockpit voice snippets fueled premature conclusions about pilot suicide. She favors a computer or mechanical failure as the likeliest cause.
The investigation, led by India's AAIB with US participation due to the aircraft's origin, must adhere to international protocols requiring a final report within 12 months. Boeing, which has defended the 787's safety record, deferred comment to the AAIB. A former investigator urged patience, stressing the need to "keep an open mind" until all evidence is analyzed.
Key Dates and Next Steps
- June 12, 2025: Flight 171 crashes in Ahmedabad, killing 260.
- July 2025: AAIB releases controversial interim report.
- October 2025: Air India CEO reaffirms no aircraft faults at Aviation India summit.
- November 7, 2025: Supreme Court hears pilot's father's petition; next hearing set for November 10.
