One year on from the Air India Express crash at Kozhikode that killed 21, the official probe has left more questions than answers. Sources inside the investigation tell me the final report is mired in political and bureaucratic infighting. Six critical issues remain unresolved.
First, why did the pilot ignore standard procedure and attempt a landing on the tabletop runway in heavy rain? Cockpit voice recorder transcripts show a tense exchange with the co-pilot, who warned of wind shear. The captain pushed on. Was there pressure from management to minimise delays?
Second, the runway itself. Kozhikode's 'high-risk' designation had been flagged for years. The Airports Authority of India promised upgrades. Nothing happened. Who is accountable for that inaction? The civil aviation ministry has been stonewalling requests for documentation.
Third, the relief effort. Eyewitnesses and first responders described chaotic scenes. The airport's emergency response plan appears to have been inadequate. Fire tenders arrived late. Medical triage was disorganised. A confidential report from the National Disaster Management Authority paints a damning picture of coordination failures.
Fourth, the airline's safety culture. Air India Express has a patchy record. This crash exposed a pattern of 'normalised deviance' where pilots are allowed to bend rules. Whistleblowers I've spoken to claim that reporting safety breaches is discouraged. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has not conducted a comprehensive audit since the crash.
Fifth, the aircraft itself. The Boeing 737 NG involved had a history of technical glitches. Maintenance logs show repeated issues with the autobrake system. Was the plane airworthy? The investigation is yet to release full maintenance records.
Finally, the regulatory rot. The DGCA is understaffed and lacks technical expertise. It relies heavily on airline self-reporting. A parliamentary committee report last year criticised the regulator as a 'toothless tiger'. Nothing has changed.
Insiders tell me the final report is being 'watered down' to protect senior officials. The families of the victims are being kept in the dark. They deserve answers. The flying public deserves action. Instead, we get silence and obfuscation.
