New Delhi, Jun 14: The Government of India has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the Air India Flight AI-171 crash that occurred on June 12, shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad to Gatwick (London).
The aircraft tragically went down near Ahmedabad Airport resulting in the death of 272 including passengers and people on ground including doctors and their relatives, while one passenger survived, prompting the Ministry of Civil Aviation to issue an official order for the formation of this committee to examine the causes and systemic issues related to the crash.
As per the order issued by the ministry of civil aviation a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS reads, the committee will be tasked with reviewing existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), identifying lapses or shortcomings in protocol, and formulating comprehensive guidelines to prevent and handle such incidents in future. The panel will not serve as a substitute for any other investigations currently underway but will supplement efforts by focusing specifically on SOPs and coordination mechanisms.
The committee will be chaired by the Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and will include senior representatives from both State and Central Governments, not below the rank of Joint Secretary. The objective is to bring in inter-agency coordination, technical expertise, and policy-level insight to prevent similar tragedies.
The committee will investigate the root causes of the crash, including possible mechanical failure, human error, adverse weather, and compliance issues. It will recommend improvements to SOPs, incorporating best international practices for preventing and managing such aviation emergencies in future.
Further, the committee will assess the emergency response of all stakeholders both at the Centre and State level focusing on rescue coordination, post-crash incident management, and institutional responsibilities. It will also go through the records of earlier crashes in India to draw parallels and insights for a comprehensive approach.
In addition to policy recommendations, the committee will propose operational improvements, review existing training standards, and explore changes needed in regulatory frameworks to ensure robust preparedness and accountability across agencies.
As per the order, the composition of the committee includes the Union Home Secretary as Chairman, along with the Secretary of Civil Aviation, Additional/Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and representatives from the State Home Department of Gujarat.
The committee also includes representatives from the State Disaster Response Authority of Gujarat, the Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad, and Directors General from key aviation and security agencies such as the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Directorate of Inspection and Safety, Indian Air Force.
Other members include the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, and any aviation experts or legal advisors deemed necessary by the committee. The comprehensive nature of this panel is aimed at ensuring both technical and operational scrutiny of the crash.
According to the order, the committee will have unrestricted access to all records, including cockpit voice recorders, flight data, ATC logs, maintenance history, and witness testimonies. It will also conduct site inspections, interview relevant personnel including air traffic controllers and crew, and collaborate with international agencies if the involvement of foreign nationals or aircraft manufacturers is confirmed.
The committee has been mandated to submit its findings within a three-month period from the date of formation. The final report is expected to lay the foundation for future preventive and corrective actions within India’s civil aviation ecosystem.
