The Supreme Court of India has expressed concern over reports suggesting that Air India Flight 171 crashed due to pilot error. The plane went down shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 241 people.
The remarks came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Safety Matters Foundation. The PIL noted that preliminary reports mentioned a “fuel cut-off” by the pilots, which led to speculation about their actions. The NGO argued that such assumptions were harmful and called for a detailed court-monitored investigation.
Justice Surya Kant said it was “unfortunate” and “irresponsible” to blame the pilots based on initial findings. He added that if the pilots were later found not at fault, these reports could damage their reputations. The court also noted that such claims could be exploited by rival airlines.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, seeking their responses. It also directed that the investigation be conducted transparently and quickly.
The final investigation report is still awaited. The court’s intervention highlights the need for careful and responsible reporting in the aftermath of air disasters.
