TheSupreme Court on Monday asked the Union government and DGCA to explain how they will ensure a “free, fair, impartial and timely” probe into the June 12 Air India crash in Gujarat.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotishwar Singh issued notices following a petition by Safety Matters Foundation. The petition criticized the DGCA’s preliminary report for suggesting a pilot error and flagged a conflict of interest, as three of the five panel members belong to the DGCA.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan said 102 days after the crash, there is still no clarity on the cause, putting passengers at risk. The court stressed confidentiality to protect the dignity of the pilots’ families and cautioned against premature leaks that could distort facts.
Air India Flight AI-171, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 229 passengers, all crew, and 19 people on the ground. Preliminary findings show both engine fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” causing loss of thrust.
The petition cited a 2018 FAA advisory about the fuel switch lock that remains unimplemented. The foundation emphasized the need for answers to prevent future accidents.
