SC Terms ‘Pilot Error’ Claim in AI 171 Crash “Unfortunate”

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Sept: The Supreme Court has termed the narrative of “pilot error” following the AI 171 crash as “unfortunate” and sought responses from the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to a petition demanding an independent probe into the disaster.

The AI 171 flight, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed seconds after take-off on June 12, killing 265 people, including 229 passengers, all 12 crew members, and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

The AAIB’s preliminary report, released in July, mentioned cockpit audio indicating a conversation between Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, fueling speculation of pilot error. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Safety Matters Foundation challenges this report, alleging it withholds critical information, downplays systemic faults such as fuel-switch defects and electrical issues, and violates citizens’ rights to life, equality, and truthful information.

Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, said more than 100 days after the crash, only a preliminary report has been made public. “It doesn’t say what may have happened and what precautions should be taken. The result is that all passengers on these Boeing planes are at risk today,” he said.

The PIL also raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, noting that three of the five members investigating the crash are serving DGCA employees. “How can employees of the same organisation that is under question carry out the probe?” Bhushan asked.

The bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh acknowledged the petitioner’s demand for a fair inquiry but cautioned that making all findings public could affect the probe. Justice Kant described the alleged leak to the Wall Street Journal blaming pilots as “very unfortunate and irresponsible.”