The court was hearing the petition filed by the Constitution by Safety Matters Foundation, an aviation safety NGO led by Captain Amit Singh (FRAeS). The PIL alleges that the official investigation violates citizens’ fundamental rights to life, equality, and access to accurate information.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court described certain aspects of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report as “unfortunate” and “irresponsible.” The report, released on July 12, suggested that the crash was caused by fuel cut-off switches being moved from “run” to “cutoff,” effectively implying a pilot error.

The petition claims that the AAIB report withholds critical information, including:

• Full Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) output

• Complete Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts with accurate time stamps

• Electronic Aircraft Fault Recording (EAFR) data

The PIL argues that withholding such information prevents a complete and fair understanding of the accident, raising serious questions about the accuracy and integrity of the official investigation.

The Supreme Court’s notice signals a willingness to examine whether the investigation was conducted properly and to consider the need for an independent, court-monitored inquiry. Aviation experts say that transparency in accident investigations is crucial not only for justice to victims’ families but also for improving aviation safety standards in India.

As the matter unfolds, all eyes will be on how the government responds and whether the court orders a more detailed probe into the tragic Air India crash.

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