New Delhi : The Indian government has declined an offer from the United Nations’ aviation body to assist in the investigation of the catastrophic Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 271 lives on June 12, 2025. Instead, the government has appointed the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Kanchan Taneja, to spearhead the probe, as confirmed by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a statement to ANI.
The decision to rely solely on domestic expertise follows the tragic incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s airport, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into a densely populated area, killing 29 people on the ground and leaving only one survivor. The wreckage remains under examination by the AAIB, with the flight’s black box still in India for analysis.
Naidu emphasized that the AAIB, under Taneja’s leadership, is fully equipped to handle the investigation. The government has also established a separate committee, led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, to review broader aviation safety measures and propose reforms to prevent future tragedies. This panel, however, will not interfere with the AAIB’s crash investigation.
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The probe is expected to adhere to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 13 guidelines, which recommend completing investigations within a year to ensure timely safety improvements. While international experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch are providing technical assistance, the AAIB retains primary control of the investigation.
The crash, the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade, has prompted heightened scrutiny of Air India’s operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently issued warnings to the airline for crew scheduling violations and overdue safety checks, leading to the suspension of three senior executives. Air India has responded by reducing its flight schedules to ensure operational stability while cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
As the AAIB continues its meticulous examination of evidence, including the black box data and wreckage, authorities aim to uncover the cause of the crash and implement measures to enhance aviation safety across India.