India has declined an offer from the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to include one of its investigators as an observer in the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash, which resulted in the loss of over 260 lives in Ahmedabad on June 12. This decision comes amid growing scrutiny regarding the pace and transparency of the investigation into what has become the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade.
Senior government sources reveal that ICAO proposed the deployment of an investigator already in India to assist in an observer capacity. However, Indian authorities opted not to grant this request, emphasizing that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe in full compliance with global standards outlined in Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the black box data, consisting of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), was successfully recovered and downloaded by June 25. This process was conducted at the AAIB lab in Delhi in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), following international protocols due to the aircraft’s American origin.
Concerns regarding potential delays in data analysis and the limited availability of public communication have been raised by aviation safety experts. Although both black boxes were recovered shortly after the crash—one on June 13 and the other on June 16—critics have noted a lack of detailed technical updates or regular press briefings from the ministry. Thus far, the ministry has held only one press conference, which did not include an opportunity for media questions.
According to ICAO’s Annex 13 guidelines, timely decisions regarding black box analysis locations are crucial, especially when early data could help avert future tragedies. However, Indian officials assert that their actions have been prompt and comply with established protocols. They point to the investigative timeline and the involvement of accredited international agencies as evidence of transparency and cooperation.
India’s refusal of ICAO’s observer offer is interpreted as a demonstration of confidence in its domestic capabilities and legal frameworks for civil aviation accident investigations. A preliminary report on the incident is anticipated within 30 days of the crash.
Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route from Ahmedabad to London when it tragically went down shortly after takeoff, leading to significant casualties and prompting a high-priority multinational investigation.
