A long-awaited investigation into the 1978 Air India crash has hit another roadblock, with the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) now demanding a clear timeline from Indian authorities. The crash, which killed 213 people when a Boeing 747 plunged into the sea off Mumbai, has been mired in political and bureaucratic delays for decades. Families of the victims, many of whom still live in the industrial towns of northern England, feel the pain of a wound that refuses to heal.
The AAIB, which holds key evidence from the flight's Rolls-Royce engines, says it cannot release its findings until India completes its own probe. But India's inquiry has been dormant since 2015, with no public explanation. The British board says it has written to India's civil aviation ministry three times in the past year, demanding a timeline for completion. So far, no response.
“This is not just about technical data. It's about the families who have waited a lifetime for answers,” said a spokesperson for the UK-based Air India Victims' Association. Many of those families are in places like Bolton and Oldham, where textile workers once saved to fly home to India. The stall feels like a betrayal.
The crash remains the deadliest aviation disaster involving a British-built engine. The AAIB's frustration is palpable. “We have done our part. The technology is analysed. The timeline is in New Delhi's hands,” said a senior investigator. But with no movement, the British board is now considering taking the matter to international arbitration.
For the communities still waiting, the delay is another blow to their trust in institutions. As one relative put it: “I don't care about politics. I just want to know why my mother died.” The AAIB's demand may be a bureaucratic step, but for those still living with the loss, it is a lifeline. The clock is ticking.
