India has rejected a proposal to include an observer from the UN's ICAO agency in the investigation of the Air India plane crash. The black box data has been downloaded, and the investigation is ongoing.
Air India Crash: Following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12th, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people, the UN aviation agency ICAO offered assistance with the investigation. India has declined this offer and decided to handle the investigation itself.
India Refuses to Include UN Investigator in the Probe
The Indian government has made a significant decision regarding the investigation into the Ahmedabad plane crash. India has not accepted the investigation proposal sent by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). According to reports, ICAO had offered to provide one of its investigators present in India with the status of an 'observer,' which Indian authorities have rejected.
According to sources, India does not want international interference in this matter and wants to conduct the investigation at its own level. India has previously completed investigations of several plane crashes independently.
What was the Plane Crash?
On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI-882 crashed near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat. The flight was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner model. There were 280 people on board the plane, of whom 260 died, while the rest were seriously injured. This accident is considered one of the biggest plane crashes in India in recent years.
UN's Role and India's Response
Following the accident, ICAO offered to send an investigator to India to provide technical assistance and expertise. According to a Reuters report, ICAO's aim was to ensure the impartiality of the investigation and adherence to global standards. However, India rejected this proposal and has decided to keep the investigation process under its control for now.
Important Data from the Black Box
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has downloaded the data from the flight recorder, commonly known as the black box, approximately two weeks after the accident. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, investigators are now analyzing this data.
The first part of the flight recorder was received on June 13th, and the second part on June 16th. However, there is no clarity on whether the recorder will be analyzed in India itself or sent to the United States.
Criticism from Security Experts
Some international aviation experts and security analysts have criticized the delay in the analysis of black box data and the lack of transparency in the investigation. They said that rejecting international cooperation in the investigation after such a major accident could raise questions about the credibility of the investigation.
When Will the Preliminary Report Be Released?
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the investigation is being conducted according to all ICAO protocols. In most plane crashes, the preliminary report is released within approximately 30 days of the accident. However, the final report may take several months to come out.
