AAIB’s investigation of AI 171 choke or something else?
India’s response to the tragic AI 171 disaster has mystified the international safety community.
- With no major experience decoding the B-787 black boxes, deciding to perform this critical investigative step in-house;
- Initially refusing to grant an ICAO observer access to the AAIB team and then reversing that decision.
- The unusually slow process and dearth of information of the AAIB’s investigation of this high profile and unbearably tragic accident.
- A very telling moment—the first press conference was not conducted by extremely well qualified Director of the AAIB, Group Captain G.V.G. Yugandhar[1]. Instead, the initial briefing was led by the Civil aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, a career Administrative Service Officer with no real aviation experience.
These are not hiccups, the AAIB has carried out more than 150 Accident and Incident investigations so far including major accident in 2020 of Air India Express Flight 1344.
SO WHY IS INDIA performing a critical assignment for members of the global aviation fraternity??? Its long term industrial goals have placed massive pressure on getting ithe investigation right and it appears that the process is suffering.
Here are the stakes for India and its global ambitions, witness these facts:
India has an estimated population of approximately 1.464 billion people, that’s 17.8% of the global population, with a median age of 28.8 years and a steady urbanization trend—over 542 million people now live in cities. Those statistics have motivated its leaders to adopt a plan labeled Atmanirbhar Bharat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration for economic self-sufficiency and national development. The term serves as an umbrella concept encompassing the government’s vision for India to become more efficient, competitive, and resilient, while expanding its role in the global economy by developing India into a “global supply chain hub”.
The ambitious aerospace elements include:
- .HAL Tejas Mk2 and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are central to India’s fighter jet roadmap.
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and combat drones are being developed for both surveillance and strike capabilities.
- HTT-40 trainer aircraft, LUH (Light Utility Helicopter), and LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) are part of the indigenous rotary-wing fleet.
- Developing the technology for and launching satellite constellations, space-based surveillance, and multi-domain operations. Events like DefSat 2025 have spotlighted the integration of space capabilities into defense planning.
- The Administration supports the domestic industry by helping find partners for defense exports and a rising power in the global aerospace race.
India’s aerospace parts manufacturing market was valued at $13.6 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 6.8% through 2030. The country is emerging as a key node in global aerospace supply chains, especially as companies seek alternatives to traditional manufacturing hubs.
The tension being felt by the aviation leadership is best understood with some context
- India is right, ICAO does not participate in all conduct investigations itself, but it plays a crucial coordinating and advisory role under “Annex 13” of the Chicago Convention.
The Montreal UN organization MAY send and has sent Observer Assistance. Their role includes monitoring investigations, ensuring they’re consistent with global standards and helping with coordination if multiple countries are involved. Typically, ICAO avails itself of this power in instances that involve complex or politically sensitive cases—such as the downings of MH17 or PS752.
The initial refusal to allow the ICAO expert and soon thereafter the reversal suggests that the government is worried about the findings, although the approved team includes other independent parties.
- The Black Box, again the narrative about where these recorders of flight data and cockpit conversation started with strong feedback that “India is a leader in computer coding; so why not here?”
- The question of whether the AI171 black box should be sent to the U.S. for decoding sparked considerable speculation in the days following the tragic crash. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation firmly clarified that the black box—comprising the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—would not be sent abroad. The first official statement was from AAIB that native computer experts would decode the data entirely within India.
- The is decision was heralded as a significant milestone in the country’s aviation safety capabilities.
- Interestingly, while the decoding was conducted domestically, technical experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were present to assist, as the aircraft involved was a U.S.-manufactured Boeing 787. This collaboration aligns with ICAO Annex 13 protocols, which encourage participation from the state of manufacture in such investigations.
Another proposition to explain these seemingly inept actions provide another plausible rationale–India’s rejection of ICAO involvement may have stemmed from a desire to “maintain investigative autonomy”, particularly given existing assistance from the U.S. NTSB. But several factors likely influenced the eventual reversal:
“International Transparency Pressure”: The delay in decoding black box data sparked criticism from aviation experts, raising concerns about openness.
“Precedent and Optics”: Past high-profile crashes saw ICAO involvement, so India’s refusal risked seeming out of step with best practices.
“Diplomatic Signaling”: Reconsidering ICAO’s offer allowed India to demonstrate accountability without ceding control over the investigation.
While it is very frustrating to have heard so little about what the investigators have found so far, it is too early to castigate AAIB. The REAL CONCERN is whether the final report will attempt to mask what the real probable cause may be. A COLLATERAL PROBLEM is that the absence of reliable evidence creates a vacuum that only encourages SPECULATION!!!
Atmanirbhar Bharat MAY HAVE IMPACTED THE AAIB’S INVESTIGATION AND CONTINUED DISAPPOINING PERFORMANCE MAY HARM ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT. A well run investigation with well-articulated statement of AI 171’s probable cause should earn India the respect of the aerospace community.
Air India crash: Black box flown to Delhi, decoding process underway
A truck carrying wreckage of the Air India plane that recently crashed into a medical hostel and its canteen complex passes by, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Sunday, June 22, 2025.
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun analyzing the black box data recovered from the crash site of Air India Flight AI171, which crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, the government said on Thursday.
As part of a formal investigation launched in line with international protocols, both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) were recovered from the Ahmedabad crash site—one from a rooftop on June 13 and the other from the debris on June 16—and were flown to Delhi.
The AAIB, which is the designated authority for such investigations, is currently conducting the investigation into the crash, the government assured.
On Thursday, the government stated that the devices (CVR and FDR) were secured under round-the-clock police protection and CCTV surveillance before being airlifted to Delhi by Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft on June 24.
“…the black boxes were brought from Ahmedabad to Delhi by IAF aircraft with full security on 24 June 2025. The front black box arrived at the AAIB lab in Delhi with the Director General (DG) of AAIB at 1400 hrs on 24 June 2025,” it stated.
“The rear black box was brought by a second AAIB team and reached the AAIB lab in Delhi at 1715 hrs on 24 June,” it added.
A statement issued by the government also confirmed that data extraction began the same evening at the AAIB lab in Delhi, and the memory module was accessed.
“On the evening of 24 June 2025, the TEAM led by the DG of AAIB, along with technical members from AAIB and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), began the data extraction process. The Crash Protection Module (CPM) from the front black box was safely retrieved, and on 25 June 2025, the memory module was successfully accessed and its data downloaded at the AAIB lab,” the statement read.
The AAIB initiated an investigation and constituted a multidisciplinary team on 13 June, in accordance with prescribed norms, it said.
The team investigating the black box was formed in line with international standards and is led by the Director General of AAIB, along with technical experts from AAIB, the US NTSB, an aviation medicine specialist, and an air traffic control (ATC) officer, as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, the government clarified.
UN body’s request to have its observer in AI 171 crash probe accepted: Sources
Ongoing investigation into June 12 crash of AI’s Boeing 787-8 in Ahmedabad
India’s aviation authorities are learnt to have accorded the observer status to an expert from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the ongoing investigation into the June 12 crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad.
The United Nations’ aviation body had requested the government to allow it to appoint an “expert observer” in the probe that is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Earlier, a few reports suggested that the government had rejected ICAO’s offer, but sources indicated that the proposal — although unusual — was duly considered and it was decided to allow ICAO’s request. Earlier on Friday, senior government officials had said that any decision on the matter would be taken keeping in view the procedures and protocols followed for air accident investigations and the needs of this specific probe. ICAO usually joins aircraft accident investigations in very specific circumstances, like when the accident occurs in a conflict zone or the plane is brought down by military action, or if the investigating agency in charge of the probe seeks the UN body’s assistance. Officials said ICAO’s request to join the Ahmedabad crash probe was unusual as neither of these conditions were there.
In its request to the government, ICAO is learnt to have suggested that its presence in the probe would help ensure that international standards, procedures and best practices are followed, which would in turn reinforce the credibility and integrity of the probe process. The request from ICAO came from agency’s Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, and was communicated to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) through India’s representative in the ICAO Council, The Indian Express has learnt.
All but one of the 242 people on board the London-bound flight (AI 171) died in the accident, which also led to casualties on the ground. Besides Indians, there were 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals.
Another government official said the AAIB-led probe was already being assisted by representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), plane maker Boeing, and engine manufacturer GE, and there was no question of international standards and protocols not being followed. The official said the government has no problem in onboarding any other overseas organisation or expert, if such a need is actually there. Instances of ICAO joining air crash probes include the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 and Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS-572 in 2020, both of which were accidental shoot-downs around conflict zones. In both these cases, the investigating agencies had sought ICAO’s assistance.
Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India
(Appointed 18 December 2023)
Group Captain G.V.G. Yugandhar (Retd.) leads the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, bringing over three decades of distinguished service in aviation safety, engineering, and strategic operations.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1995 as an Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical), he specialized in helicopter maintenance and operational readiness. His pioneering indigenous repair schemes and system retrofits notably enhanced aircraft longevity and VIP fleet communication capability, yielding significant cost savings and strategic independence.
An experienced flight engineer with over 1,000 flying hours, his operational footprint spans humanitarian relief, international peacekeeping, and complex technical assessments in Russia and the United States. His contributions to defense procurement negotiations saved millions and accelerated fleet inductions.
Group Captain Yugandhar holds:
- MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies – Madras University
- MTech (Gold Medalist) – Punjab University
- Master of Management Studies – Osmania University
- PhD Candidate – Andhra University
Currently, he is spearheading the investigation into the tragic June 2025 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in over 270 fatalities. His leadership is pivotal in shaping India’s civil aviation safety standards and international collaboration frameworks.
, and is presently leading the high-profile investigation into the June 2025 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which tragically claimed over 270 lives.
If you’d like, I can help format this into a formal CV or executive bio.
[1] Group Captain G.V.G. Yugandhar, currently serving as Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, brings a distinguished career in aviation engineering and safety oversight.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) branch in 1995, he has specialized in helicopter maintenance and operational readiness, including indigenous repair schemes for heavily damaged aircraft and retrofitting systems for VIP communication duties. His innovations have saved significant foreign exchange and extended the operational life of multiple helicopter fleets.
Yugandhar has also served as a flight engineer with over 1,000 flying hours, including disaster relief and peacekeeping missions. His international experience includes technical assignments in Russia and the U.S. for fleet inductions, and he contributed to negotiations for defense exports, saving millions in procurement costs.
Academically, he holds:
- MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies (Madras University)
- MTech with Gold Medal (Punjab University)
- Master of Management Studies (Osmania University)
- Currently pursuing a PhD from Andhra University
He assumed the role of DG, AAIB on 18 December 2023
