Supreme Court Clears Pilot of Blame in Air India Crash Inquiry
The Supreme Court on Friday clarified that the inquiry report into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash does not blame the pilot for the tragedy. The bench observed that “no one in India believes it was the pilot’s fault,” dismissing claims that the findings tarnished the late pilot’s reputation. The fatal crash occurred on June 12, when the aircraft went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 265 people — including 241 passengers and crew, 19 people on the ground, and five others who later succumbed to injuries. The Court emphasized that investigations must be viewed objectively and without assigning blame until conclusive evidence emerges. It also urged authorities to focus on improving aviation safety measures to prevent future disasters. The families of the victims have been assured that the government and airline will continue to provide support and ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation.
