The Minister of Parliament Ram Mohan Naidu assured that the AAIB investigation on the Air India crash is not biased and international norms are followed.
NEW DELHI, India—July 21, 2025: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu today emphatically stated in Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a “totally unbiased” and “rule-based process” into the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, assuring that the probe adheres to international norms. Addressing questions on the tragic incident that claimed 260 lives, Naidu urged caution against premature conclusions and criticized certain Western media reports for speculation.
Air Crash Incident by Air India
On June 12, 2025, Air India Express Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a building at B.J. Medical College campus in Ahmedabad a few seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport bound for London Gatwick. The accident killed all but one of the 230 passengers, all 12 crew members on board, and 19 on the ground, with 67 injured in what is one of the most devastating aviation incidents in India in recent history.
The initial report by the AAIB that came out on July 12 opined that just after takeoff, the aircraft went through fuel cutoffat the engines, resulting in loss of thrust from both. In fact, a cockpit voice recording showed that one pilot was querying the other for, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” to which the other replied, “I did not do so.”
PM Modi Holds Meet as Monsoon Session Begins
Minister Naidu Assures in Parliament
Mr. Naidu stated at the Rajya Sabha on the very first day of the Monsoon Session that he would await the conclusion of the inquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the crash. “We want to stand by the truth. We want to find out what exactly happened, and that is only going to be coming out once the final report is placed,” he said.
Specifically addressing the issue of the credibility of AAIB, it stands as an independent division under the Ministry of Civil Aviation to investigate accidents and incidents involving civil aircraft in India. To top it all, “I can say this in the House and to the people of the country: AAIB has a very definitive and safe, thorough, rule-based process. They are right now very transparently looking at the process of investigation, and they are totally unbiased,” the minister affirmed. He emphasized the fact that the investigation is held “as per international norms” laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Discretionary Possibilities and Foreign Narratives
The minister also directed his barrage against certain foreign media, including The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, for selective and unverified reporting and for creating premature narratives regarding the cause of the crash, subject to which were allegations of pilot error. “I have already appealed to all people, especially Western media houses, to refrain from such speculation,” added Naidu.
This time India was capable of decoding black box data domestically for the first time, while it had been hitherto sent abroad. “We have to stick to the report,” he said, adding that the report will provide final findings that will identify root causes and corrective measures.
Present Investigation and Going Forward
The investigation by the AAIB is rigorous and involves a five-member team headed by Sanjay Kumar Singh and comprising domain experts who are experienced pilots, engineers, and flight recorder specialists. Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has also registered a case against international media for what they said was reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide.
The particular report will zero in on the exact events leading to the crash from all sides, including technical failures and human factors. The government has reiterated its stance towards bringing the aviation incidents down to “zero,” reflecting its overall commitment towards constituting safe mechanisms in this rapidly developing aviation sector in India.
