Air India Faces Scrutiny Over Safety Standards: 9 Show-Cause Notices Issued Amid Ongoing Crash Probe
In a significant development raising questions about aviation safety oversight, Junior Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that nine show-cause notices have been issued to Air India over the past six months for five separate safety violations.
This revelation comes in the aftermath of the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad last month that claimed 261 lives, including passengers and civilians on the ground.
Mounting Safety Concerns at Air India
Responding to a written query raised by CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, Minister Mohol stated:
During the last six months, a total of nine show-cause notices have been issued to Air India in connection with five identified safety violations. Enforcement action has been completed in respect of only one violation.”
The minister’s disclosure has sparked deep concern, especially in light of the June 12 crash of a Boeing 787 787-Dreamliner shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport, which left just one survivor out of 242 people onboard and killed 19 others on the ground.
The crash is being investigated as one of the worst civil aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
Crash Investigation Still Ongoing
While responding to another supplementary question on the probable causes of the crash, Mohol said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is continuing its investigation to identify the contributory factors or technical errors that may have led to the tragedy.
The first preliminary report by the AAIB, released more than a week ago, offered a chilling timeline:
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Engine 1 was manually cut off just three seconds after lift-off.
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Engine 2 was shut down a second later.
This sequence, experts suggest, may have critically disabled the aircraft within seconds of takeoff, leading to the fatal impact. However, the cause behind this engine shutdown — whether due to crew error, mechanical failure, or malfunctioning flight software — remains under investigation.
No “Adverse Trend” in Crashed Aircraft’s Past
Mohol was also questioned about the history and performance of the specific aircraft involved in the crash. He confirmed that no adverse trend had been detected in reliability reports regarding the aircraft in question during the six months preceding the accident.
This response attempts to indicate that the aircraft was considered fit and flightworthy according to the standards of Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — at least on record.
Brittas Raises Alarm Over Enforcement Gaps
Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, while acknowledging the ongoing investigation, raised serious concerns over what he termed as “lax enforcement” in the face of repeated safety violations.
“While the government has stated that the investigation to determine the cause of the accident is still in progress, the reply also reveals that nine show-cause notices were issued to Air India for five identified safety violations in just the last six months, with enforcement action completed in only one case.
This raises serious concerns about repeated breaches and a failure to ensure accountability,” Brittas stated.
He further called for a thorough review of how DGCA and civil aviation authorities monitor and respond to safety deficiencies among carriers, especially a national carrier like Air India, which operates some of India’s most high-profile international routes.
Calls for Transparency and Safety Reforms Grow
The revelation that enforcement action was taken in only one of the five cases — despite nine formal notices — has alarmed aviation safety experts, passenger rights groups, and lawmakers alike. Many are demanding that:
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The DGCA must publish a detailed compliance timeline from Air India for each violation.
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The AAIB should release regular updates on the investigation to ensure public accountability.
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A third-party safety audit of Air India’s operational, crew training, and maintenance practices should be initiated immediately.
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The Civil Aviation Ministry adopts a zero-tolerance approach toward safety breaches.
