India is reeling from the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 on June 12, 2025, which claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad. The preliminary report points to a chilling detail: the plane’s engine fuel cutoff switches flipped almost simultaneously, starving the engines of fuel mere seconds after takeoff. This catastrophe, one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history, has dominated headlines and public discourse, exposing systemic failures that cannot be ignored.
The nation demands answers, and platitudes won’t suffice. The report raises more questions than it answers. Reuters notes “pilot confusion” over the fuel cutoff switches, but experts caution against pinning this on human error alone. A 2018 FAA advisory recommended inspecting these switches on Boeing models, yet Air India reportedly didn’t comply. Why? Was it negligence, cost-cutting, or a failure of oversight?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must explain why such a critical advisory was overlooked. If a known issue was ignored, heads must roll—starting at the top of Air India’s maintenance chain and extending to regulators who failed to enforce compliance. This tragedy underscores a broader issue: India’s aviation sector, despite its growth, is plagued by lapses in accountability.
The Hindu reports the pilots’ association defending the crew, claiming they acted responsibly under “challenging conditions.” But what conditions? A properly configured Boeing 787 Dreamliner, as investigators confirmed, shouldn’t have failed so catastrophically. If the issue was electrical or systemic, as some experts suggest, Boeing’s role must be scrutinized. The American manufacturer’s track record—marred by the 737 MAX scandals—raises doubts about its reliability.
India cannot afford to be a testing ground for faulty engineering. The public’s outrage is palpable, amplified by social media platforms like X, where users demand transparency. Posts reveal a mix of grief and fury, with many questioning why Air India, a national carrier, didn’t prioritize safety over profits. Vedanta’s annual report, cited by The Hindu, shows a near fourfold increase in donations to the ruling BJP, sparking speculation about cozy ties between corporates and regulators.
While unrelated to the crash, such revelations fuel distrust in institutions meant to protect citizens. If political influence compromises safety protocols, the public deserves to know. The crash also highlights India’s uneven progress. We boast a booming aviation market, yet our infrastructure and oversight lag behind. The wreckage still lies at Ahmedabad’s airport, a grim reminder of our failure to act swiftly. Compare this to global standards: when a crash occurs in the U.S. or Europe, investigations are exhaustive, and reforms are immediate.
India’s final report, expected in a year, feels like an eternity for grieving families and a jittery public. Accountability must extend beyond finger-pointing. The government, which recently privatized Air India, cannot wash its hands of responsibility. Privatization doesn’t absolve the state of ensuring rigorous safety standards. The DGCA must conduct a nationwide audit of all aircraft, prioritizing older fleets. Airlines must face stricter penalties for non-compliance, and whistleblowers within the industry need protection to expose lapses without fear.
Furthermore, passengers deserve real-time access to an airline’s safety record before booking—a radical but necessary step to force transparency. The Air India crash is a wake-up call. It’s not just about one plane or one crew; it’s about a system that allowed a preventable disaster to unfold. India’s ambition to be a global powerhouse rings hollow if we can’t ensure the safety of our skies. The government, regulators, and airlines must act decisively—apologize, investigate, and reform. Anything less is an insult to the 260 lives lost and a betrayal of the nation’s trust.