Govt sets up high-level probe into Air India horror crash that killed over 270

In the wake of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on June 14 announced the formation of a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which claimed over 270 lives including some on the ground and left scores injured.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, plunged into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff on June 12. The ill-fated flight was carrying 230 passengers — including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, and one Canadian — along with 12 crew members. Only one person is confirmed to have survived the crash.

Eyewitness footage captured the plane struggling to gain altitude before spiraling down and erupting into flames, sending shockwaves across the country and prompting immediate emergency response.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the newly constituted panel will examine the sequence of events leading to the crash and evaluate the effectiveness of the current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols.

“This committee will not replace the statutory or technical investigations underway but will focus on strengthening the regulatory framework to prevent such catastrophic failures in future,” the ministry said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). It added that the panel’s mandate includes recommending a robust, forward-looking framework for crisis prevention and aviation safety enhancement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad on Friday and met survivors at the Civil Hospital, where several are being treated for burn injuries and trauma. The identification of victims is ongoing, with a team of over 70 doctors conducting post-mortem examinations. As of Saturday, five victims have been formally identified and their remains handed over to grieving families.

A full-scale forensic and aviation inquiry is also underway, with debris being examined for mechanical and operational clues. Investigators are expected to scrutinize black box data, flight control logs, and maintenance records to determine whether the crash was caused by technical failure, human error, or external factors.

The tragedy has reignited questions over safety compliance and emergency preparedness across India's aviation sector, with calls mounting for stricter oversight and reform.