Twelve months after the crash of Air India Flight 171, relatives of those killed are accusing the airline of obstructing their pursuit of accountability. Families who lost loved ones in the disaster say they have received little information from the carrier about compensation or the official investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down.
Relatives Mark Sombre Anniversary
Survivors and family members gathered in Mumbai on Sunday to mark one year since the disaster. Many described feelings of frustration and abandonment as official inquiries continue without clear timelines for completion. The ceremony drew hundreds of mourners who held photographs of those who perished.
The crash claimed the lives of all 229 passengers and crew aboard when the aircraft went down shortly after departure from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. It remains India's deadliest aviation disaster in more than a decade. Families say the grief has been compounded by what they describe as a lack of transparency from Air India and aviation regulators.
Carrier Faces Compensation Pressure
Air India has offered compensation settlements to some families, but relatives say the amounts fall short of international standards and come with conditions they consider unfair. The airline has not publicly disclosed the number of families who have accepted or rejected its offers.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed it is conducting a formal inquiry but has not announced when findings will be released. Officials have declined to speculate on potential causes while the investigation remains ongoing.
What Families Are Demanding
The Air India Crash Victims Families Association has compiled a list of demands it wants the government to address. Members are calling for full transparency on investigation findings, standardised compensation based on international norms, and criminal proceedings against any parties found negligent.
The association's president, whose daughter was among those killed, told reporters the group had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office twice in the past year without receiving substantive replies. The Prime Minister's Office has not commented on the correspondence.
Legal Options Under Consideration
Several families have engaged international aviation law firms to explore litigation options. Lawyers say proceedings against Air India in Indian courts face significant hurdles, including caps on damages and lengthy procedural delays. Some relatives are examining whether to file claims in foreign jurisdictions where the airline operates.
The families association said it would present its concerns directly to the Civil Aviation Ministry next month. A ministry spokesperson declined to comment ahead of the planned meeting.
Investigation Progress Remains Unclear
Aviation safety investigators have recovered the aircraft's flight data recorders, but analysis has not been made public. Sources familiar with the inquiry said preliminary findings suggest multiple factors may have contributed to the crash, though officials have not confirmed this.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which leads the technical inquiry, operates under a framework that typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete major investigations. Families say they were not consulted on witness testimony and received no updates on the probe's status for nearly six months.
Broader Questions About Aviation Safety
The disaster has renewed scrutiny of Air India's safety record and maintenance practices. The airline, which was partially privatised in 2023, has faced questions about pilot training standards and aircraft upkeep from opposition politicians and aviation safety advocates.
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu has acknowledged the families' concerns in Parliament but deflected calls for an independent inquiry, stating the Accident Investigation Bureau operates independently. His ministry has proposed new regulations requiring airlines to maintain dedicated family liaison officers during investigations.
Watch What Happens Next
The Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to respond to the families association by the end of next month. If the response is deemed unsatisfactory, association leaders say they will consider a public demonstration outside Parliament. The Accident Investigation Bureau's final report is anticipated before the end of the year, though investigators have not committed to a specific date. Families say they will continue pressing for answers until someone is held accountable for the lives lost on Flight 171.
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Sources familiar with the inquiry said preliminary findings suggest multiple factors may have contributed to the crash, though officials have not confirmed this.The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which leads the technical inquiry, operates under a framework that typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete major investigations. Some relatives are examining whether to file claims in foreign jurisdictions where the airline operates.The families association said it would present its concerns directly to the Civil Aviation Ministry next month.
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