The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has summoned the highest-ranking aviation officials as well as Boeing executives following the crash of the Air India aircraft in Ahmedabad, which claimed more than 240 individuals. It is also in response to growing concerns about security protocols, regulatory failures, and flying practices.
The panel, headed by Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Jha, has asked Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and Boeing members to explain in detail what was the reason for the crash and the present state of aviation safety in India. The panel has also called for an explanation from Air India and aviation regulators on compliance with international safety norms.
Sources state that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has retrieved both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder (black boxes), which are being decoded with help from U.S. agencies. Preliminary results will be available within a few weeks, while a complete report would take a few months.
Simultaneously, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also ordered a complete safety audit of Air India. In this, as much as 26 of the 33 Boeing Dreamliners have been audited. The rest will be audited in the days ahead to determine airworthiness and for maintenance of safety standards.
The parliamentary panel is also likely to look into pilot flying hours related issues, fleet operations, and maintenance schedules of aircraft. The crash has again raised questions over operational procedures of Indian carriers, particularly in view of growing air traffic.
The warning to foreign aircraft manufacturer Boeing is being considered as a stern message that India means business in placing accountability at every level—both international and domestic. With the national conscience having been badly wounded by the ghastly loss of lives, the emphasis of this probe is likely to shape policies of the future that regulate air safety in the country.
The committee hearing would be conducted in the first week of July, where some key stakeholders such as Civil Aviation Ministry officials, Air India, DGCA, AAIB, and Boeing would submit their testimonies.
