Preliminary Report Does Not Blame Pilot In Air India Crash
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has informed the Supreme Court of India that the preliminary investigation into the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe of the June 12 crash involving Air India has not attributed fault to the pilot. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing around 260 people. The government clarified that this phase of the inquiry is aimed at determining cause—not assigning blame.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
During the court hearing, the Ministry noted that the probe is being carried out under the norms of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) because foreign nationals were among the victims. The court emphasised the AAIB’s job is causation and prevention, not punishment. Petitions for a separate judicial inquiry into the accident have also been filed by the father of one of the deceased pilots.
Safety Implications & Next Steps
Investigators are analysing flight-deck voice recordings, engine data and wreckage evidence to understand why both engines lost power soon after take-off. With the pilot cleared of immediate culpability, attention shifts to systems, procedures and external factors. Authorities say final findings and recommendations will be released in due course to improve aviation safety.
