Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
India's Supreme Court has asked the central government to respond to a plea requesting an independent investigation into the Air India plane crash that killed 280 people in June. This is the court’s first examination of the ongoing probe by Indian authorities.
Details Of The Crash
On 12 June, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed less than two minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft lost power, veered off course, and struck a medical college building near the runway. All 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground died in the accident.
Concerns About Conflict Of Interest
The plea, filed by the Safety Matters Foundation, questioned the inclusion of officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the investigation panel. Lawyers argued that this could create a conflict of interest, as the crash involved examining DGCA’s own regulatory actions and possible lapses.
Preliminary Report Findings
A preliminary government report suggested pilot confusion in the cockpit before the crash. The report said the fuel engine switches almost simultaneously flipped from run to cutoff just after takeoff. While the report appeared to clear Boeing and GE Aerospace, many families and experts criticized it for focusing too heavily on the pilots’ actions.
Family Concerns And Reputation
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, has demanded a fresh independent investigation. He said preliminary findings wrongly suggested his son was suicidal and responsible for the crash, harming his reputation. He rejected claims that personal losses, like his divorce or mother’s death, affected his mental health.
Court On Responsible Reporting
The Supreme Court expressed concern over reports blaming the pilots based on preliminary findings. Justice Surya Kant called such claims “very irresponsible” and noted that false suggestions of pilot depression or suicide could unfairly damage families and reputations.
Demand For Independent Probe
The court said it will review the demand for a “fair, impartial, independent, and speedy” investigation. It has formally asked the government to respond to this request, emphasizing the need for transparency and proper procedure in investigating such a major accident.
International Legal Action
Meanwhile, families of four victims have filed a lawsuit in the United States against Boeing and Honeywell. The case alleges that a defective fuel control switch may have contributed to the crash by allowing the switches to inadvertently move to “cut-off” during flight.
India’s Supreme Court is considering a plea for an independent investigation into the Air India crash that killed 280 people. Concerns over pilot blame, potential conflict of interest in the current probe, and international lawsuits highlight the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry to ensure justice and safety in aviation.
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