India Refuses UN Investigator in Air India Crash Inquiry
India has turned down a request from the United Nations’ aviation body to include one of its experts in the probe of the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crash, which killed 260 people in Ahmedabad on June 12. The refusal, confirmed by two senior sources familiar with the matter, has stirred concerns about transparency and the pace of the investigation.
Earlier this week, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) offered India the support of a seasoned crash investigator already present in the country. The agency reportedly asked that the expert be granted observer status in the ongoing probe. However, Indian authorities rejected the offer, sources said.
This move stands out, especially considering ICAO’s involvement in past high-profile air disasters, such as the Malaysian Airlines crash in 2014 and the Ukrainian jetliner downed in 2020, where it joined only upon invitation.
Deadliest Air Crash in a Decade, Yet Limited Access
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry into what has now become the deadliest global aviation accident in the last ten years. Despite the scale of the tragedy, the AAIB has remained silent, declining to comment when approached by Reuters. ICAO also did not immediately respond to media queries.
Adding to the opacity, India’s civil aviation ministry only confirmed on Thursday that flight recorder data had been downloaded—two weeks after the incident. Many aviation experts argue this delay is far from ideal, especially in a case of such magnitude.
Key Questions Surrounding the Black Box
The combined black box unit, recovered on June 13, along with a second set found on June 16, should have provided early insights. Yet, the government has remained tight-lipped on where and how the data was analyzed. That’s a critical detail, as U.S. authorities—specifically the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)—are also involved in the probe.
Under globally recognized aviation rules, known as Annex 13, black box data should be retrieved as quickly as possible, especially if it can prevent similar disasters in the future. Yet, India has held only one press conference, during which no questions were allowed.
India Says It’s Following Protocols—Experts Remain Concerned
An unnamed civil aviation ministry official insisted that “all ICAO protocols” are being followed. According to the official, media outlets were provided updates on key developments. But critics point out that public communication has been minimal, and transparency remains lacking.
A preliminary report is expected around 30 days after the crash. While most air crashes are the result of several contributing factors, early clarity on black box analysis and international cooperation often play a crucial role in helping the aviation world learn and adapt.
Transparency in Question as Global Eyes Watch
With global attention now on India’s handling of the investigation, the refusal to allow an independent UN expert into the process raises red flags. The move may be within the country’s legal rights, but many question whether it aligns with global best practices.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for further updates on the Air India crash investigation and global aviation developments.
