Lok Sabha Question No. 749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: ICAO Safety Norms
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram, Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 749 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  24th July 2025 )

## ICAO SAFETY NORMS

## 749.    SHRI K SUDHAKARAN SHRI AMRA RAM Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## be pleased to state:-

- (a) the status of the investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash in  Ahmedabad on 12th June 2025, including the progress of black box  analysis  and  preliminary  findings  regarding  possible  causes such as engine failure, landing gear malfunction or sabotage;
- (b)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  and  the  Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure accountability for lapses in safety protocols, aircraft maintenance or regulatory oversight;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any action against Air India for violations related to pilot duty scheduling or overdue maintenance as flagged by the DGCA and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  steps  taken  to  address  concerns  regarding  tall  structures located near the Ahmedabad  airport?s flight path and their compliance  with  International  Civil  Aviation  Organization  (ICAO) safety norms;
- (e)  the  scope  and  timeline  of  the  high-level  inquiry  Committee constituted in connection with the incident; and
- (f) whether the findings of the said Committee would be made public in  order  to  ensure  transparency  and  restore  public  confidence  in aviation safety and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL  AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a):  An  investigation  has  been  ordered  by  the  Director  General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the Aircraft  (Investigation  of  Accidents  &  Incidents)  Rules,  2017  to determine  the  probable  cause(s)/contributory  factor(s)  leading  to accident of Air India flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025.; ; The data from one of the Flight Recorders of AI-171 (VT-ANB) has been downloaded in the Flight Recorder Laboratory of the AAIB at Udaan Bhawan.; ; A preliminary report on the accident has been published by AAIB on 12th July, 2025 and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in.; ; The investigation is in progress to determine the probable cause(s)/contributory factor(s) leading to the accident.; ; (b): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a comprehensive  and  structured    civil  aviation  regulations  for  safe operation  of  aircraft  and  its  maintenance.  These  regulations  are continuously updated  and aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)/European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. ; DGCA  also  has  a  structured  surveillance  and  audit  framework  in place i.e. planned and  unplanned  surveillance of organization /aircraft,  which  includes  regular  and  periodic  audits,  spot  checks, night surveillance and ramp  inspections across all operators, including  continuous  oversight  of  maintenance  practices.  In  case there  is  a  violation,  DGCA  takes  enforcement  action  as  per  its Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual.; ; (c): DGCA has directed M/s Air India to remove 03 personnel from all duties, roles and responsibility related to crew scheduling.; ;

(d): To ensure safety of aircraft operation during landing and takeoff  from airport, Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) of Ahmedabad airport have been established in line of International Civil Aviation Organization  (ICAO)  standards  and  notified  vide  GSR  751  (E). Further, as part of Aerodrome Licensing requirements to monitor & control these established Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), obstacle survey of Ahmedabad Airport is carried out regularly.; ; (e)  &  (f):  A  High-Level  Committee  was  constituted  on  13.06.2025 under  the  chairmanship  of  the  Union  Home  Secretary  to  suggest comprehensive  guidelines  for  dealing  with  such  instances  in  the future  post  Air  India  Flight  AI-171  incident.  The  Committee  is  to submit its report within three months.; ; The key objectives of the Committee are given below:;

1) Recommend necessary improvements and formulate suitable SOP to prevent such incidents in the future. 2)  Suggest  policy  changes,  operational  improvements  and  training enhancements  required  to  prevent  such  occurrences  and  handle post-crash incident situation. (both Central  and  State  Governments),  including  rescue  operations,  and

- 3) Assess emergency  response  of various stakeholders coordination among them.
2. ******