New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the “selective and piecemeal” release of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, calling certain aspects “irresponsible” for hinting at pilot error before the inquiry concluded.

The Court orally observed that the “selective and piecemeal release of the preliminary inquiry report is unfortunate. Until the enquiry is complete, confidentiality must be maintained.”

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh was hearing a petition by Safety Matters Foundation, a non-profit led by former pilot Amit Singh, seeking an independent, court-monitored probe into the crash that claimed 260 lives, including 19 on the ground. The plea alleged that the preliminary report violated the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, which require full disclosure of factual data gathered during the early stages of an inquiry.

Issuing notices to the Union government and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bench directed, “Issue notice to the respondents to ensure a fair, impartial, and expeditious investigation by an expert body.”

The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that three of the five-member AAIB investigative team are serving officers of the DGCA, raising “a very serious conflict of interest” since the DGCA’s role is also under scrutiny. “How can officers of the very organisation whose role is likely to be examined be part of the inquiry?” he asked.

Justice Kant acknowledged the need for a fair and impartial inquiry but questioned the petitioner’s request for disclosure of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR).

The Court also emphasised the need for strict confidentiality until the regular inquiry is completed. “Instead of piecemeal leaking of information, somebody should maintain confidentiality till regular inquiry is taken to logical conclusion,” Justice Kant remarked, as per Live Law report.

The petition also claims that the report downplays system anomalies, such as fuel switch defects, electrical faults, and RAT deployment, while prematurely pointing to pilot error, contrary to Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention.

The Ahmedabad Air India Crash

On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 265 people, including 241 passengers and crew. Victims included 169 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. The sole survivor was Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national.