Why is News
- The tragic Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad (June 12, 2025) has reignited debates on the integrity of India’s aircraft accident investigation system and the independence of its aviation regulatory architecture.
Key Issues Highlighted
Lack of Institutional Independence
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is not fully autonomous; it functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
- MoCA also controls the DGCA, which regulates airlines — causing a conflict of interest in accident probes.
Pattern of Superficial Reviews
- Past investigations (e.g., Aurangabad 1993, Kozhikode 2020, Air India Express 2018) often:
- Lack transparency,
- Avoid systemic critique,
- Show signs of regulatory capture, and
- Tend to blame pilots for convenience and insurance closure.
Misuse of AAIB Reports
- Law enforcement and courts treat AAIB reports (meant for safety learning) as conclusive legal evidence.
- This misrepresents technical findings and leads to criminalising pilots without accountability for systemic failures.
Legacy of Ignored Recommendations
- The Air Marshal J.K. Seth Committee Report (1997) identified:
- Fragmented oversight,
- Inadequate training, and
- Lack of regulatory autonomy.
- Recommendations remain buried.
Recurring Safety Failures
- Multiple aviation safety concerns recently:
- Flying school accidents, ground handling lapses, weather-related incidents, AI171 crash.
- Raises questions about the adequacy of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).
Way Forward & Recommendations :
- Institutional Independence : Make AAIB and DGCA independent statutory bodies reporting to Parliament
- Legal Protection for Pilots : Amend Rule 19(3) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 to ensure no-blame culture unless gross negligence is proven.
- Data Integrity & Use : Prevent use of AAIB findings in criminal trials unless independently validated.
- Oversight Mechanism : Appoint an independent ombudsman to review report integrity and implementation.
- Safety-First Culture : Integrate safety deeply into the revised National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2025+).
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BUREAU (AAIB) :
A statutory investigative body responsible for probing aircraft accidents and serious incidents in Indian airspace.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Established: 30 July 2012
Legal Basis: Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017
Global Linkage: Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention (1944) under ICAO
Mandate and Jurisdiction:
- Investigates accidents/serious incidents involving:
- Aircraft with AUW > 2,250 kg
- All turbojet aircraft
- May investigate smaller aircraft cases if necessary for public safety.
Core Functions:
- Investigation & Classification: Categorises aviation occurrences into accidents, serious incidents, and incidents.
- Final Reports: Prepares public reports after DG’s approval; forwarded to ICAO and affected States.
- Safety Recommendations: Sent to DGCA or foreign regulators for policy-level implementation.
- Safety Studies: Analyzes systemic aviation risks and recommends long-term reforms.
- Legal Support: Assists courts and assessors as per Rule 12 of 2017 Rules.
ICAO & CHICAGO CONVENTION
Type: Intergovernmental specialized agency of the United Nations
Established: 1947, via the Chicago Convention (1944)
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Members: 193 countries
Functions of ICAO
- Safety & Efficiency: Develops standards for safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable international civil aviation.
- Standard-Setting Body: Sets global norms for aviation safety, security, air navigation, environmental performance, and economic development.
- Coordination Platform: Acts as a clearinghouse for international cooperation and discussion among member states on civil aviation.
- Market Liberalization: Promotes regional/international agreements for liberalizing air transport markets.
- Legal Framework: Supports development of international aviation law ensuring that safety is not compromised as air traffic grows.
UPSC Relevance
GS2 (Governance): Regulatory bodies, transparency, accountability
GS3 (Infrastructure): Civil aviation safety, technological and institutional capacity
Possible UPSC Mains Question
Q. “India’s aircraft accident investigation suffers from a crisis of independence and transparency.” Examine the systemic flaws and suggest reforms to make India’s aviation safety regime more credible and effective. (250 words)