Supreme Court to review Air India 171 crash probe amid calls for independent investigation

The official report’s findings have been challenged by aviation safety advocates who are calling for an independent inquiry. During a recent Supreme Court session, a judge called suggestions that pilots had deliberately shut off fuel supply “very unfortunate and irresponsible.”

Mike Andrews, representing families of more than 100 victims, rejected claims that pilot actions led to the accident. He cited FAA notices documenting water leaks into equipment bays on Boeing 787 aircraft—sometimes requiring equipment replacement—as reported by The Independent.

The electronics equipment bay under the cabin floor contains computers essential for flight operations, including the full authority digital engine control (FADEC). FADEC manages all aspects of engine performance using sensor data and controls fuel flow to optimize efficiency and safety. According to the FAA, if FADEC fails, so does the engine.

AirlineRatings has downgraded safety ratings for all Indian airlines amid ongoing concerns about regulatory oversight. Sources told AirlineRatings that releasing initial information late in the evening outside normal government hours suggested possible transparency issues. The same sources said early focus on pilot error may have diverted attention from potential maintenance problems or regulatory shortcomings within Air India and its governing bodies.

Debate over air safety in India has intensified since the crash. The DGCA chief defended their record in a July interview with the BBC by stating “India’s skies have always been safe.” However, in July of this year, a DGCA audit found 51 safety violations at Air India over the previous year.