Air India Crash: High-Level Govt Panel to Probe Causes, Review Flight Safety Norms

Govt Sets Up High-Level Panel to Probe Air India Crash, Review Safety Protocols.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday announced the formation of a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the Air India Flight AI-171 crash and review existing aviation safety protocols. The tragic incident on June 12 claimed at least 265 lives and left several others injured after the Ahmedabad-London flight crashed shortly after takeoff.

According to the ministry, the panel will examine the circumstances leading to the crash, assess current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and recommend systemic changes to prevent such incidents in the future. “This committee will operate independently and will not replace other ongoing statutory or technical investigations,” the ministry said in a post on X. “Its focus will be on strengthening SOPs for both prevention and effective response.”

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plunged into a medical college hostel minutes after takeoff, crashing in a residential area near Ahmedabad airport. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft struggled to gain altitude before spiraling out of control and bursting into flames. The flight was carrying 230 passengers — including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, and one Canadian — along with 12 crew members. Only one person survived the crash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and met with survivors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Post-mortem examinations are underway, with a team of 70–80 doctors working to identify the deceased. So far, five victims have been identified, and their remains handed over to families. Forensic teams continue to examine the wreckage, while aviation regulators are conducting a separate technical probe into what led to the crash.