1. Air India Boeing 787 Crash — Ahmedabad
- Incident: Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating AI 171 crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025 — killing ~270 (241 onboard + 29 on ground); 1 survivor
- AAIB’s Role: Leading the probe under Annex 13, with support from Boeing, UK & US investigators .
- Government Oversight: PM’s Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra visited site, pushed for fast investigation, families’ support, and body identification via DNA
2. Helicopter Crash in Uttarakhand
- Scenario: A Bell 407 helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath on June 15, 2025, killing 7 (including a child) .
- AAIB’s Action: Lead investigation; DGCA suspended operator’s licence amid poor weather and fog concerns.
- Safety Concerns: Poor ATC, lack of radar, and over-reliance on visual flight in challenging terrain under scrutiny .
3. AAIB Capacity & Tech Upgrades
- Flight Recorder Lab: Launched in April 2025 for CVR/FDR analysis—supports domestic aircraft and future regional manufacturing..
- Data Analytics System: AAIB acquiring software for granular aviation data analysis (types of incidents, airports, operators) to enhance predictive safety mechanisms ..
- Human Resources: Recruitment of expert consultants for lab work, safety investigations, and accident prevention .
- Regulatory Framework: Draft Aircraft (Investigation) Rules, 2025 emphasize no-blame investigation, mandatory reporting, and state participation in probes .
4. Transparency & Governance Push
- A PIL in Delhi HC urges DGCA and AAIB to publicly publish investigation reports and penalty decisions under ICAO Annex 13 norms, highlighting independence and accountability concerns .
- Debate over technical qualifications of DG-AAIB has questioned leadership appointments
UPSC Relevance
| Area | UPSC Linkage |
|---|---|
| GS2 – Governance | Institutional transparency, no-blame culture, regulatory reforms (Draft Rules 2025) |
| GS3 – Science & Tech / Internal Security | Use of CVR/FDR labs, data analytics, accident prevention frameworks |
| GS2 – International Relations | AAIB investigations with international agencies (UK, US, Boeing)—Annex 13 compliance |
| GS1/GS4 – Ethics | Balancing technical neutrality, no blame focus, and public accountability |
UPSC Mains Questions
- “Evaluate the role of AAIB’s new digital and forensic capabilities in enhancing aviation safety in India.”
- “Critically examine the importance of no-blame investigation in aviation and how India’s AAIB is aligning with international standards.”
1 thought on “India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in Focus.”