British aviation investigators have formally requested a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash of Air India Flight 171, amid a deepening dispute over the official cause. The request, submitted to the Indian authorities on Tuesday, underscores growing concerns over the transparency and methodology of the ongoing investigation.
The crash, which occurred on 12 March near the southern city of Chennai, claimed 132 lives. Initial reports from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) attributed the disaster to a catastrophic engine failure. However, UK-based investigators, who have been granted observer status, have raised objections, citing discrepancies in the available data.
According to sources familiar with the matter, preliminary analysis of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder suggests a sequence of events inconsistent with a simple mechanical failure. The British team, led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), has requested access to additional maintenance records and radar data, which have not been forthcoming.
The dispute threatens to strain diplomatic relations between London and New Delhi. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office declined to comment on the record but confirmed that the matter had been raised at an official level. The Indian High Commission in London has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Aviation analysts point to the crash’s broader implications for international air safety protocols. Under the Chicago Convention, signatory states are obliged to cooperate fully in accident investigations. Any perceived lack of transparency could undermine confidence in India’s aviation regulatory framework.
The AAIB has not publicly specified the nature of the discrepancies, but insiders suggest they relate to the aircraft’s flight path in the moments before impact. The unresolved questions have led to calls for a joint investigation, a proposal New Delhi has so far resisted.
Families of the victims, many of whom are British nationals of Indian origin, have expressed frustration at the lack of clear information. A support group formed in the aftermath of the crash has urged both governments to prioritise the search for the truth.
As the dispute continues, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has offered to mediate. However, no date has been set for any such discussions. For now, the focus remains on the immediate task of recovering and analysing the remaining evidence.
The AAIB’s formal request marks a significant escalation. It is now incumbent upon Indian authorities to respond. The credibility of the investigative process and, by extension, international trust in India’s aviation safety regime hang in the balance.
