Paper: GS – III, Subject: Economy, Topic: Infrastructure, Issue: Need for a separate aircraft investigation mechanism.
Context:
The recent Air India crash at Ahmedabad (June 12, 2025) exposed deep-rooted flaws in India’s aviation aircraft accident investigation system pointing out the need for overhaul in the institutional structure and independence of aircraft accident probes in India.
Key Highlights:
Flaws in the current system:
- Institutional issues: India’s current system lacks transparency, independence, and credibility in investigating aircraft accidents.
- Non-independent investigation body: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) functions under MoCA. But MoCA also controls DGCA and appoints AAIB leadership — all under one authority.
- Conflict of interest: Same ministry MoCA oversees aviation operations and investigations. In contrast, railway accidents are investigated by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (independent from operators).
| Institutional Conflict in Aviation Investigations:Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)↓ ↓ ↓DGCA ← AAIB ← Airports Authority of India↓Aircraft Accident InvestigationRegulator, Operator & Investigator under same Ministry |
- Pattern of Neglect and Firefighting: Recent accidents like:
- May 2025 flying school crash (Nagpur),
- Multiple landing mishaps,
- Celebi Airlines incident,
- June 2025 Ahmedabad crash
- Above incidents show systemic failures, not isolated events. Authorities act only after major disasters, not preventively.
- Institutional Failures: Air Marshal J.K. Seth Committee Report (1997) exposed issues such as regulatory capture, poor training, lack of independence. But was never implemented.
- Protectionism over Accountability: Probable causes approach is used to avoid institutional blame and to Shield airlines, maintenance providers, and ATC from scrutiny.
- Blame game: Reports are often sanitized; blame shifted to pilots (who can’t defend themselves if deceased).
Measures needed:
- Make AAIB truly independent: Separate it from MoCA’s control and investigative and regulatory powers are not held by the same ministry.
- Implement past recommendations: Strictly implement ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit findings.
- Legal safeguards and transparency:
- End the culture of secrecy and pre-scripted conclusions.
- Ensure public access to reports, clear communication, and legal enforceability.
Conclusion:
India doesn’t lack talent, tools, or laws — it lacks political and institutional will. As India becomes a global aviation hub, passenger safety must be prioritized over bureaucratic comfort.
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