SC Slams Selective Air Crash Report Blaming Pilots
22 Sept 2025 12:52 PM IST22 Sept 2025 12:52 PM IST
The bench, which batted for the final report on the crash, said there is an issue of confidentiality and aspects of privacy and dignity involved in the matter
The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and the Director General of Civil Aviation on a plea seeking an independent, fair and expeditious probe into June 12 Air India crash (File image)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday termed as “unfortunate and irresponsible” the selective publication of parts of the preliminary report on the June 12 Air India crash, which pointed to pilot lapses and fueled a “media narrative.”
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh issued notices to the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the need for an independent, fair, and expeditious probe into the tragedy.
The court observed that reports of this nature should remain confidential until the inquiry is complete, stressing the importance of protecting the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families. “Piecemeal and selective publication of findings, which leads to building a media narrative, is unfortunate and irresponsible,” the bench said.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Safety Matters Foundation, argued that a single line in the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report blaming pilots shaped international media narratives. He alleged conflict of interest in the probe, noting that three of the five members were from the aviation regulator, the DGCA.
Bhushan maintained that the release of complete data from the Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder would clarify the cause. However, the bench cautioned that releasing information piecemeal could fuel speculation and even be misused by rival airlines.
Justice Kant stressed the need for independent inquiries by domain experts, conducted promptly to quell rumours and ensure transparency, while maintaining confidentiality until the final report is ready.
The plea, filed by Captain Amit Singh on behalf of the NGO, contended that the official probe violated citizens’ rights to life, equality, and access to truthful information. It criticised the preliminary report for prematurely attributing the accident to pilot error while withholding critical data, and for downplaying systemic anomalies, including possible fuel-switch defects and electrical disturbances.
On June 12, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, killing 265 people, including 241 passengers and crew.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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