Mon Sep 22 07:13:54 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Indian Supreme Court has raised serious concerns about the preliminary report on the June 12, 2025, Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 265 people. The court deems the report “irresponsible” for implying pilot error, citing possible conflicts of interest within the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). A plea from an aviation safety NGO is pushing for an independent investigation and access to flight data recorder information. The NGO alleges the preliminary report withholds crucial data needed for an objective understanding of the crash.

**News Article:**

**Supreme Court Questions Air India Crash Report, Demands Fair Investigation**

**New Delhi, September 22, 2025** – The Indian Supreme Court has cast serious doubt on the preliminary report regarding the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The crash, which claimed the lives of 265 people, has been a subject of intense scrutiny, and the court’s intervention marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, presiding over the case, expressed concerns over certain aspects of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report, labeling them as “irresponsible” for seemingly pointing blame at pilot error. The court has issued notices to the central government and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a plea filed by the NGO ‘Safety Matters Foundation’, demanding an independent, fair, and expeditious probe.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, argued that the AAIB’s investigation may be compromised due to the presence of members from the aviation regulator within the probe panel, potentially leading to a conflict of interest. The NGO is seeking the release of crucial data from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and electronic aircraft fault recording, arguing this information is essential for a transparent and objective understanding of the disaster.

The NGO’s plea, led by Captain Amit Singh, alleges the official probe violates fundamental rights to life, equality, and access to truthful information. The preliminary report attributed the accident to fuel cutoff switches being moved, suggesting pilot error. However, the NGO claims the report withholds critical data necessary for a comprehensive understanding.

While acknowledging concerns over confidentiality and potential misuse of information by rival airlines, the Supreme Court emphasized its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, independent, and expeditious investigation into the crash. The court is prioritizing the pursuit of a comprehensive final report that sheds light on the true causes of the tragic event.

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