The central government has formed a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London.
The Government of India established a High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee to investigate the causes of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash.
This flight, which was en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London), tragically went down shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad Airport.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, On June 13, 2025, announced the formation of this committee to determine the reasons for the accident and evaluate whether existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines are adequate to prevent similar incidents. The committee will also propose new guidelines aimed at enhancing safety and effectively managing emergencies in the future.
The order clarifies that this special committee will not replace ongoing investigations conducted by other authorities; instead, it will concentrate on developing detailed and effective SOPs for future incidents.
According to the order, the committee has been tasked to “examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future.”
The committee will be chaired by the Union Home Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs and will include representatives from both State and Central Governments, specifically those not below the rank of Joint Secretary.
The committee’s main objectives are outlined as follows:
- Determine the root cause of the crash. This includes evaluating contributing factors such as mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, regulatory compliance, and other influences.
- Recommend necessary improvements and develop appropriate SOPs to prevent future incidents. The SOPs will also incorporate best international practices for preventing and managing such occurrences.
- Evaluate the emergency response of various stakeholders, including Central and State Governments, focusing on rescue operations and coordination among agencies. The committee will review existing guidelines for handling such incidents and analyze records of previous aircraft crashes in the country. It will create a comprehensive SOP and define the roles of all relevant agencies and organizations in post-crash management.
- Propose policy changes, operational enhancements, and training improvements necessary to prevent similar occurrences and manage post-crash situations.
The committee will include the following members:
- Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Chairman)
- Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India
- Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Representative from the State Home Department, Government of Gujarat
- Representative from the State Disaster Response Authority, Government of Gujarat
- Police Commissioner, Ahmedabad
- Director General, Inspection and Safety, Indian Air Force
- Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (DG BCAS)
- Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DG DGCA)
- Special Director, Intelligence Bureau
- Director, Directorate of Forensic Science Services, Government of India
- Any other member as deemed fit by the committee, including aviation experts, accident investigators, and legal advisors may also be included by the committee.
The committee has been given the following responsibilities:
- The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, ATC logs, and witness testimonies.
- Conduct site inspections.
- Interview crew, Air Traffic Controllers, and relevant personnel.
- Collaborate with international agencies if foreign nationals or aircraft manufacturers are involved.
The official order, signed by Shobhit Gupta, Joint Secretary, confirms that “The Committee will publish its report within three months.”
Copies of the order have been distributed to all relevant departments and officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Secretary of Civil Aviation, Additional Secretaries, State Disaster Authorities, Police Commissioner Ahmedabad, and Directors of various aviation and intelligence departments.
This action by the central government reflects its commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash of Flight AI-171 and to ensuring robust safety measures are implemented to prevent such disasters in the future.
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