IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

14 Jun 2025 : The rot starts at the top of the aviation ladder

Editorial 1: ​The rot starts at the top of the aviation ladder

Context

The Ahmedabad air crash is a wake-up call for aviation officials and airlines to ensure strict training and safe operations.

 

Introduction

A version of Murphy’s Law states that “if several things can go wrong, the one causing the most damage will.” The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, just after take-off for London Gatwick, is a harsh wake-up call—one that has echoed for years. Yet, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), the judiciary, and airlines have consistently ignored the urgent need for stringent training and robust safety standards. Boasts about India being the fastest-growing aviation market ring hollow amid persistent corruption, political interference, and a disturbing lack of accountability. Beyond blaming pilots, no higher-level responsibility has ever been fixed—exposing deep systemic rot at the top of India’s aviation structure.

 

Downward slide

Incident/Issue

Details & Observations

Pattern of Major Crashes

From IC605 (Bangalore, 1990) to IX1344 (Kozhikode, 2020) and now AI171 (Ahmedabad, 2025), India has seen repeated aviation disasters due to systemic issues.

Complacency

Each crash is followed by a brief reaction, then a return to status quo, with no long-term reforms in training or safety oversight.

Persistent Leadership

The same officials remain in power despite repeated failures. Safety standards and training protocols continue to decline.

Lack of Accountability

Responsibility is routinely deflected to pilots, while top-level officials, including in MoCA, DGCA, and AAI, remain untouched.

Union Minister’s Role

Post-crash statements always defend safety standards, even amid clear ICAO violations.

Investigator Selection

Crash investigators are often chosen based on their willingness to follow the official narrative and blame crew members.

Violation of ICAO Norms

In the Ahmedabad crash, the DGCA named pilots publicly — a direct breach of ICAO protocol, which prohibits this even in final reports.

Leadership in DGCA/AAI

Calls for professional aviation experts to head key bodies like DGCA and AAI, instead of bureaucrats or publicity-seekers.

Judiciary's Weak Response

India's judicial system in aviation matters is one of the weakest globally. Even after Mangaluru, a PIL with strong evidence was dismissed without hearing.

Systemic Rot

Handing PILs back to MoCA for validation shows deep-rooted institutional bias and reluctance to question the system.

Loss of Lives

Over 300 lives lost in Ahmedabad alone, including passengers and locals — yet no shake-up in the system.

Global Comparison

Even the Pakistan Supreme Court has shown more resolve in holding its aviation authorities accountable than Indian institutions.

 

Ahmedabad Accident: Preliminary Analysis

Sources of Initial Information

  • Primary evidence currently comes from:
    • Social media video recordings
    • CCTV footage at Ahmedabad airport
  • CCTV observations include:
    • Aircraft's take-off sequence
    • Vegetation around the runway area

 

Aircraft Configuration and Take-Off Speculations

Aspect

Observation

Aircraft Model

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Flap Configuration Concern

Speculative claims about improper flap settings

Counterpoint

Modern Boeing aircraft have built-in take-off configuration warning systems; pilots cannot proceed without correct settings

Runway Usage

Flight took off using the full runway length, not from an intersection (as speculated)

 

Runway Environment & Bird Risk

  • CCTV shows:
    • Significant grass growth along runway edges
  • Seasonal Context:
    • Southwest monsoon onset
    • Regulatory Requirement: Grass must be cut below 3 inches before monsoon to prevent insect and bird activity
  • Historical Risk:
    • Ahmedabad airport has a known bird menace history

 

Take-Off and Suspected Mid-Air Issues

Sequence of Events (As Per Video and Survivor Accounts)

Time/Event

Details

Initial Acceleration

Appeared normal

30 Seconds Post Lift-Off

Loud thud reported (per survivor and video interview)

Possible Causes

Bird ingestion causing compressor stall

Climb Profile

Shallow climb, high nose-up attitude, followed by slow descent

Visual Indicators

Aircraft’s nose high but losing altitude—indicative of aerodynamic stall

 

Suspected Causes of Engine Power Loss

1. Bird Ingestion

  • Birds may have been attracted by insects in overgrown grass
  • Bird strike likely caused partial thrust loss in both engines

2. Foreign Object Damage (FOD)

  • Possibility of FOD on the runway similar to Air France Concorde Crash (AF4590, 2000):
    • Metal strip punctured tyre
    • Fragments hit fuel tank, causing fire and crash

3. Landing Gear Anomaly

  • Key visual anomaly: Landing gear remained extended throughout the climb
  • Possible reasons:
    • Crew overwhelmed by simultaneous bird strike and engine issues
    • Failure to retract gear led to increased drag and compromised climb

 

Operational and Training Considerations

  • DGCA statement reveals:
    • Captain was a Line Training Captain
    • Raises question: Was this a training flight?
  • If trainee was at controls:
    • Control transition during crisis
    • Combined with partial thrust loss, may have led to gear oversight and failure to recover

Awaited Investigation Results

Black Box Components

Expected Insights

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

Pilot conversation, alarms, crew response

Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR)

Thrust levels, flap/gear position, engine status

 

Conclusion

With global aviation authorities such as the National Transportation Safety Board (USA) and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (UK) now involved in the crash investigation, it becomes imperative for Indian officials to also examine potential obstructions in the aircraft’s take-off funnel. The aircraft reportedly collided with a multi-storied building (ground plus five floors), raising serious concerns about the presence of a 70-foot structure so close to the flight path. This incident should prompt a thorough inquiry into how such construction was permitted in a critical aviation zone. It also serves as a stark warning to Indian authorities against granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs)for construction near airports under political pressure. The larger and more pressing issue remains: will we learn from this tragedy or allow similar lapses to continue unchecked?