The investigation into the Air India crash near New Delhi has become mired in acrimony, with British aviation experts accusing Indian authorities of withholding critical data. The dispute threatens to undermine the credibility of the inquiry and raises questions about the integrity of the final report.
The Air India flight, operating on the Mumbai-Delhi route, crashed on approach to Indira Gandhi International Airport three weeks ago, killing 158 of the 167 people on board. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered within days and sent for analysis. But British experts, who are part of the multinational investigation team, say they have not been granted full access to the raw data. They allege that Indian officials have shared only summaries, not the complete recordings.
Dr. Thomas Ashton, a former chief investigator with the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, said the situation was unprecedented. “We are seeing a pattern of obstruction that is deeply troubling. If the data is being filtered before it reaches us, we cannot be certain of the conclusions.” He called on the Indian government to release the full recordings to all parties.
Indian officials have denied the accusations. A spokesperson for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that all data was shared in accordance with international protocols. “We have provided the same information to all investigators. There is no secrecy.” But the UK team insists that the data they received is incomplete. They point to discrepancies in the transcript of the cockpit conversation and gaps in the flight data timeline.
The row reflects deeper tensions over air safety standards in India. The country has seen a series of near-misses and technical failures in recent years, and international observers have warned that its regulatory oversight is weak. The crash of Air India flight AI 108 has become a test of India’s commitment to transparency.
In London, the tabloid press has seized on the story with headlines about a “cover-up”. But the substance of the dispute is less about secrecy than about procedure. Under international rules, the state conducting the investigation controls the release of information. India is within its rights to manage the process. The question is whether it is doing so impartially.
The families of British victims are demanding answers. Seven UK nationals died in the crash. Their relatives have written to the British Prime Minister, calling for intervention. “We need to know what happened to our loved ones. If the Indian authorities are hiding something, the world has a right to know,” said Jane Harrison, whose brother was on the flight.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has also expressed concern. It has asked India to respond formally to the allegations. The agency’s director, Patrick Ky, said: “We expect the highest standards of transparency in any air accident investigation. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
For now, the investigation continues behind closed doors. The Indian government has promised to publish a full report within six months. But the dispute is likely to delay the process. And if trust is not restored, the final report may be met with scepticism from the international community.
This is not the first time India has been accused of opacity in an air disaster. After the 2010 crash of Air India Express flight 812 in Mangalore, the official report was criticised for blaming the pilot while ignoring systemic issues. Some experts fear a repeat. “We need a thorough, independent examination of every factor,” said John Farley, a former pilot and aviation safety consultant. “Otherwise, lessons will not be learned.”
The geopolitical stakes are high. India is positioning itself as a global aviation hub. Its airlines are expanding rapidly, and its airports are being modernised. A scandal over the crash inquiry could damage that reputation. It could also strain diplomatic relations with the UK, which is a key partner in aviation safety.
The British government has been cautious. The Foreign Office said it was in contact with Indian authorities but declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation. The British High Commission in New Delhi has offered assistance.
In the meantime, the crash site remains sealed. The wreckage is being stored in a hangar. Investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events. But without full cooperation, the truth may remain elusive.
