Air India Crash Spurs Parliamentary Review: Aviation Safety Tops Agenda Today
By [Your Name], New Delhi, 9 July 2025
Nearly a month after the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI‑171 in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 — claimed as the worst air disaster globally in a decade — India’s Parliament has convened an urgent inquiry into the nation's civil aviation regime. With approximately 260 people perishing in the tragedy, including 241 on board and 19 on the ground, the government faces mounting pressure to overhaul safety protocols, shore up regulatory oversight, and rebuild public confidence.
1. Prelude to the Inquiry
On 12 June, well before dawn, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London took off from Ahmedabad Airport. Seconds later, it entered a nose‑dive and erupted on impact against a hostel building at B. J. Medical College. Miraculously, one British‑national passenger survived out of the 242 aboard (indianexpress.com, indiatoday.in, en.wikipedia.org).
Within days, investigators retrieved both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). By 24 June, these “black boxes” had been flown to Delhi for analysis by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), aided by specialists from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) (indiatoday.in).
2. Emerging Clues: Engine Power Issues
While the official final report is pending, preliminary findings highlight an unusual and chilling detail: the plane’s dual engines may have lost thrust simultaneously shortly after take‑off. The aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) — an emergency backup for electrical and hydraulic power — was reportedly deployed, a strong indication of catastrophic power failure (barrons.com).
More recently, aviation publication The Air Current (via Reuters) reported that investigators are scrutinising the aircraft’s engine fuel‑control switches — potential evidence of inadvertent or deliberate mis‑switching that could lead to instant thrust loss (reuters.com). Notably, U.S. expert John Cox emphasised that such switches are intentionally robust to prevent accidental movement, and that shutting even one could trigger rapid shutdown (m.economictimes.com).
3. AAIB Preliminary Report Submitted
In a key procedural development, the AAIB submitted its preliminary report to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 8 July (reuters.com). While this version likely offers limited findings, insiders suggest it acknowledges focus on fuel‑switch mechanisms and likely thrust loss post‑take‑off (m.economictimes.com). The final investigation — subject to further analysis and data validation — is expected in the coming months.
4. Parliamentary Scrutiny Intensifies
a) Transport, Tourism & Culture Committee
Later on 9 July, the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, under JD‑U MP Sanjay Jha, is convening to review “overall safety in the Civil Aviation sector” (m.economictimes.com, livemint.com). Representatives from:
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation
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Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
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Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
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Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
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Airports Authority of India (AAI)
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Major domestic and private airlines (including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air)
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Leading airport operators (such as Adani and GMR groups)
will testify and answer questions on safety lapses, oversight and compliance (indianexpress.com, tribuneindia.com, reuters.com).
b) Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
On 8 July, the PAC meeting—originally convened for airport levies—was repurposed to interrogate safety aspects. Chaired by Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, members demanded:
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Timelines for black‑box analysis
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Details on the composition and foreign‑expert involvement of the crash‑investigation team
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A special audit by BCAS (indianexpress.com, indiatoday.in)
They also scrutinised DGCA’s enforcement record and the airline’s safety record, reflecting broader concerns over regulatory capacity.
5. DGCA Under Pressure
Govt regulators are facing intense criticism. MPs are increasingly alarmed by:
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DGCA’s staffing shortages — particularly “top‑level, skilled people” (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, indiatoday.in, indianexpress.com)
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Reports of “repeated and serious violations” by Air India, spanning pilot‑duty and delayed safety‑equipment checks (reuters.com)
Calls have been made to:
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Expand DGCA capacity by recalling experienced retirees on short contracts (indianexpress.com)
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Empower BCAS to perform surprise safety audits on airlines and airports (indiatoday.in)
6. Airline Reacts & Operational Pause
In response, Air India temporarily scaled back its international flights: 38 weekly services and three routes were suspended until mid‑July during an internal safety review (economictimes.indiatimes.com). CEO Campbell Wilson appeared before PAC and Transport Committee, defending the Boeing Dreamliner as “among the safest aircraft in operation”, with over 1,000 flying worldwide (indiatoday.in).
7. Public Confidence & Compensation Concerns
Rebuilding trust remains an uphill battle for Air India, now under the Tata Group since 2022. Criticism has emerged over the treatment of victims’ families. UK-based aviation lawyer Peter Neenan accused the airline of “unethical behaviour aimed at minimising compensation”, alleging misleading forms and undue pressure on bereaved relatives — possibly saving the company over £100 million (theguardian.com). The airline refuted these claims, stating it had already provided liaison officers, interim payments to 47 families, and was fully committed to swift, fair compensation (theguardian.com).
8. Safety Gaps Beyond Air India
Air India’s disaster has spotlighted broader industry failings. Investigations have revealed several alarming incidents since mid‑June:
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A Delhi–Washington Air India flight diverted to Vienna due to a technical fault on 2 July (indiatimes.com)
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Earlier in June, another wide‑body flight lost 900 ft shortly after departure — pilots were subsequently stood down
This surge in near‑misses has intensified calls for:
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Urgent audits of maintenance routines
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Renewed scrutiny of larger fleet reliability
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Stricter enforcement of safety compliance across operators
9. Regulatory Capacity & Infrastructure Deficit
India’s aviation sector has witnessed rapid expansion — catering to over 400 million passengers annually, aspiring to global air‑transport hub status by 2047 (x.com). Yet:
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Over half of DGCA senior positions remain vacant
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State-run bodies like airport authorities (AAI, BCAS) are beset by resource limitations and ageing infrastructure
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Black‑box analysis capabilities within AAIB remain nascent; some modules may require overseas expertise (indiatoday.in, ft.com)
Parliamentarians are urging:
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Enhanced funding for DGCA, airport safety, and expansion of AAIB
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Adoption of international safety norms and proactive whistle‑blower protections
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Infrastructure modernisation, including upgraded navigation, runway systems, and emergency response functions (tribuneindia.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
10. Balance of Growth and Safety
The Modi Government has publicly expressed ambition to elevate India’s aviation infrastructure — targeting expansive airport development over the coming two decades . Yet the Ahmedabad aftermath starkly underscores that growth without commensurate safety investment is dangerously flawed.
The parliamentary review — today’s hearing, along with PAC’s session — constitutes a decisive test. A successful outcome could mean:
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Strengthened regulatory powers and accountability,
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Better-resourced oversight bodies,
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Transparent investigations,
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And, most critically, restored passenger trust
Conversely, failure to act decisively may leave India’s aviation progress tarnished, passenger confidence shaken, and international aviation partners cautious in deepening collaboration.
Looking Ahead: The Final Report
The AAIB’s final crash report is anticipated within the next 2–3 months. Its findings will determine policy direction — whether hardware failure, human error, design flaws, or procedural lapses caused the crash.
In the meantime, parliamentary action has set the stage. Key upcoming deliverables include:
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DGCA resourcing reforms
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BCAS audit enhancements
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Transparency pledges on compensation and regulatory oversight
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Expansion of crash‑investigation capability — nationally and in partnership with ICAO/NTSB
For India, the inquiry is more than a political marathon — it is the crucible that will define whether aviation safety becomes the keystone of its global travel aspirations, not merely an afterthought.
As the sessions unfold today, expect detailed testimonies from aviation experts, sharp cross‑examinations of officials, and the framing of a high‑impact legislative safety agenda. The nation will be watching closely — for answers, assurances, and action.