SC Calls Fuel Cut-Off Mention in Air India Crash Report 'Very Unfortunate'

The Supreme Court of India has expressed concern over selective leaks from the preliminary inquiry report of the Air India Flight AI171 crash in June 2025, stressing the importance of maintaining confidentiality until the investigation is complete. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in 260 fatalities.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking a court-monitored independent investigation into the incident.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioners, pointed out that the five-member investigation team included three members from the DGCA, which could represent a conflict of interest as the regulator's role is also under scrutiny. Bhushan questioned how DGCA officials could impartially probe their own organisation.

Bhushan also criticised media narratives that prematurely blamed pilot error, claiming selective leaks from the preliminary report led to misinterpretation. International media reportedly seized on a cryptic reference suggesting pilot error, which Justice Surya Kant called "unfortunate." The court stressed that confidentiality must be maintained until the investigation concludes.

Justice Kant also addressed Bhushan's request to release the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), advising against premature disclosure, stating, "It's not advisable to release [at this point]."

The PIL, filed by Safety Matters Foundation, claims that withholding Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) outputs and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts undermines public trust in aviation safety and violates India's obligations under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The petition highlights documented system anomalies, including fuel switch defects and electrical faults, and criticises premature attribution of the crash to pilot error. It argues that Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention mandates independent investigations focused on prevention rather than assigning blame.

Call for Independent Investigation

The PIL requests:

Public disclosure of all factual crash data

Appointment of an independent investigator under Supreme Court supervision

Assurance of a free, fair, and impartial probe

The petition contends that selective inquiry violates citizens' rights to life and safety under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Justice Kant observed that irresponsible media reports blaming pilots before official findings were released could create baseless narratives, emphasizing the need for careful handling of sensitive aviation data.

Another PIL seeks the suspension of Air India's Boeing fleet until safety audits are conducted. Separately, two doctors wrote to the Chief Justice of India, urging suo motu action regarding victim compensation and a thorough investigation into the crash cause.

In August, Justice Kant's bench dismissed a PIL seeking an independent probe into Air India's safety checks post-crash, allowing liberty to file a writ later. The Court has now issued notice for a limited prayer seeking a free, fair, and impartial investigation by an expert body.