Govt Forms High-Level Panel to Probe Air India AI-171 Crash; 241 Dead, 1 Survivor
New Delhi : In the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, which claimed 241 lives and left only one survivor, the Government of India has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the incident and recommend measures to avert such disasters in the future.
An official order issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirms that the committee will not replace ongoing investigations by other statutory bodies but will work specifically to formulate preventive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enhance post-crash response protocols.
Mandate and Composition
The committee, chaired by the Union Home Secretary, includes senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Indian Air Force, Gujarat Home Department, State Disaster Response Authority, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Aviation safety experts, legal advisors, and international investigators may also be roped in as necessary.
The panel has been tasked with:
Identifying causes that led to the crash
Reviewing existing SOPs and aviation safety guidelines
Evaluating emergency response and coordination at both central and state levels
Studying past air crash incidents in India for systemic insights
Proposing updated protocols, training mechanisms, and international best practices
The committee will have access to critical evidence, including flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, maintenance logs, air traffic control communication, and witness accounts. Site inspections and interviews with relevant personnel including ATC staff and surviving crew will form part of the inquiry. Coordination with international agencies is also expected, especially in light of the aircraft being a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
A final report is expected within three months.
Tragic Incident and Aftermath
Flight AI-171, operated by Air India and owned by the Tata Group, crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport on June 12, 2025. Of the 242 persons on board, including passengers and crew, only one individual survived the catastrophe.
In response to the tragedy, the Tata Group has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased passenger. Additionally, a 24/7 helpline has been set up:
Domestic: 1800 5691 444
International: +91 8062779200
Authorities have vowed full transparency and international cooperation to ensure that such a disaster is never repeated.
