SRINAGAR: The Government of India has constituted a high-level, multidisciplinary committee to investigate the crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which occurred on June 12 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to Gatwick (London).
The aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in the death of 272 individuals, including passengers and people on the ground, such as doctors and their relatives. One passenger survived. The Ministry of Civil Aviation subsequently issued an official order to form the committee, which will examine the causes and systemic issues linked to the crash.
According to the order issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the committee will review existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), identify lapses or shortcomings in protocols, and formulate comprehensive guidelines to prevent and manage such incidents in future. The panel will not replace other ongoing investigations but will supplement them by focusing on SOPs and coordination mechanisms.
The committee will be chaired by the Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and will include senior representatives from both the State and Central Governments, not below the rank of Joint Secretary. The objective is to ensure inter-agency coordination, bring in technical expertise, and offer policy-level insights to prevent similar tragedies.
The panel will investigate the root causes of the crash, including potential mechanical failure, human error, adverse weather, and compliance issues. It will recommend improvements to SOPs, incorporating international best practices for preventing and managing aviation emergencies.
The committee will also assess the emergency response by all stakeholders at both the Central and State levels, focusing on rescue coordination, post-crash management, and institutional responsibilities. It will review records of earlier crashes in India to draw comparisons and insights for a broader approach.
In addition to policy recommendations, the committee will propose operational improvements, review current training standards, and explore changes in regulatory frameworks to strengthen preparedness and accountability across agencies.
As per the order, the composition of the committee includes the Union Home Secretary as Chairperson, along with the Secretary of Civil Aviation; an Additional or Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs; and representatives from the State Home Department of Gujarat.
The committee also includes officials from the State Disaster Response Authority of Gujarat, the Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad, and Director Generals from key aviation and security agencies, such as the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Directorate of Inspection and Safety, Indian Air Force.
Other members include the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, and any aviation experts or legal advisors deemed necessary by the committee. The broad composition aims to ensure technical and operational scrutiny of the incident.
The committee will have unrestricted access to all relevant records, including cockpit voice recorders, flight data, ATC logs, maintenance records, and witness testimonies. It will also conduct site inspections, interview personnel including air traffic controllers and crew, and may collaborate with international agencies if foreign nationals or manufacturers are involved.
The committee has been mandated to submit its findings within three months from the date of formation. The final report is expected to guide future preventive and corrective measures in India’s civil aviation sector. (JKNS)
