A police officer stands near the crashed Air India plane that was heading to London’s Gatwick Airport but went down during take-off in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. REUTERS
India has denied a request from a United Nations aviation body to allow one of its experts to observe the investigation of the Air India crash that killed 260 people. The crash took place on June 12 in Ahmedabad and involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Two senior officials familiar with the case confirmed that the UN's offer was turned down.
UN Steps In with Rare Offer
The UN’s aviation agency offered to assist India by sending one of its investigators to observe the ongoing probe. This move was rare, as such offers typically come only after a country asks for help.
Previously, the agency sent teams to help with other major aviation disasters, such as the Malaysian Airlines and Ukrainian jetliner crashes. In those cases, the affected nations requested support.
This time, the UN tried to send an expert who was already in India. However, Indian officials declined to accept even observer status for the person.
Limited Response from Indian Officials
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation into what is being called the deadliest plane crash worldwide in the last ten years.
Despite public concern, the AAIB has not responded to questions from the media. The UN aviation body also did not offer a public comment.
Concerns Over Black Box Handling
Safety experts have raised serious concerns about how the investigation is being handled. They pointed out delays in recovering and analyzing the black box, which stores important flight and voice data.
India recovered one set of black box recorders on June 13 and a second set on June 16. However, officials waited nearly two weeks to begin examining the flight data.
Where Will the Black Boxes Be Read?
There’s also confusion about where the black box data will be reviewed. Under international aviation rules, decisions on where and how to examine flight recorders must be made immediately.
That rule, known in the industry as "Annex 13," aims to prevent delays that might impact future flight safety.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is taking part in the investigation, which has added to speculation that the black boxes may be analyzed in the U.S.
No Clear Communication from India
India’s civil aviation ministry has held only one press conference since the crash.
Officials did not take any questions during that briefing.
An unnamed aviation ministry official said India is following all UN aviation rules and claimed the media has been updated regularly.
Still, many experts and families of victims are calling for more transparency.
A preliminary crash report is expected within 30 days of the incident.
