US–India Tensions Surface In Air India Crash Probe
The investigation into the June 12 Air India Flight 171 crash has been marked by friction between Indian and US officials. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including residents on the ground. Disagreements emerged when US investigators objected to India’s plan to fly the black boxes to a remote military base at night, expressing security concerns.
Technical Differences Slow Inquiry
According to investigators, early data showed both engines had been manually shut down, a point that prompted concern from the US team. Indian authorities, however, said no conclusions should be drawn until the full analysis is complete. The divergence in understanding has slowed progress and created diplomatic strain as both sides push for control over key parts of the investigation.
Supreme Court Seeks Regular Updates
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau informed the Supreme Court that the probe aims to determine the cause of the crash rather than assign blame. The court accepted this and asked for periodic status updates. Meanwhile, regulators and Boeing have stated that no systemic issue has yet been identified in the aircraft type.
Global Implications For Air Safety
The tensions have raised questions about transparency in multinational crash investigations. With conflicting interpretations and sensitive diplomatic dynamics, the final report is expected to have far-reaching implications for aviation safety standards.
