PAC meeting turns stormy as MPs question aviation safety, probe updates shared
New Delhi: In the wake of the tragic Air India AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad, the airline has defended the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft, calling it “one of the safest aircraft” currently in service.
The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound AI 171 flight crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel building, just seconds after takeoff. The incident claimed 260 lives, including 241 passengers and crew, and 19 people on the ground.
The issue was raised during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting that was initially scheduled to review levy charges at airports. However, the session quickly turned tense as MPs demanded accountability over the recent crash and raised broader concerns about aviation safety in India.
Air India CEO Wilson Campbell attended the session, along with senior officials from:
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA)
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
Private airline representatives, including from IndiGo and Akasa Air
Sources said Air India informed the panel that over 1,000 Dreamliners are flying globally, reinforcing their confidence in the aircraft’s safety record. The airline said it was “deeply concerned” about the crash and is awaiting the official inquiry report.
Lawmakers, however, grilled the aviation officials. They:
Demanded a safety audit by BCAS
Questioned the functioning of DGCA
Pointed to recent safety lapses and rising airfares as signs of regulatory failure
Sought clarity on the crash probe committee’s selection
Asked whether foreign experts were involved in the investigation
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary findings to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The AAIB is working closely with the US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The probe picked up pace after the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) on June 13 and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) on June 16. The FDR was found on a rooftop near the crash site.
On June 24, both black boxes were flown to Delhi by the Indian Air Force. The CVR arrived at the AAIB lab at 2:00 PM, followed by the FDR at 5:15 PM the same day.
The final investigation report is expected to shed light on the exact cause of the deadly crash. Until then, pressure on aviation authorities continues to mount.
