The MTA Speaks: Could the Ahmedabad Air India crash have been avoided?

Investigative analysis by senior journalist Manoj Aakash Tibrewal on safety lapses, DGCA accountability, and passenger transparency in the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.

Ahmedabad: On June 12, an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad. So far, 265 people have been confirmed dead in this horrific accident, including 241 passengers and crew members. The accident has shaken the entire nation and raised a big question—could this accident have been avoided?

The veteran journalist, Manoj Tibrewal Aakash, analyzed in his special show "The MTA Speaks" what caused the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash and could this fatal accident have been avoided?

Have safety checks become a mere formality?

Before every commercial flight, the aircraft undergoes seven stages of inspection. These include pre-flight inspection, transit inspection, daily inspection, 48-hour inspection, A-check, C-check, and D-check. The D-check is the most comprehensive and technically intensive inspection, in which the aircraft is almost completely dismantled and reassembled.

If an aircraft crashes even after these seven levels of intensive checks, the question arises whether these checks have become just a process of ticking a checklist. Is there a lack of human negligence and accountability in these processes?

DGCA's role and lack of transparency

In India, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) monitors and sets rules for civil aviation. DGCA does set guidelines, but does it ensure that they are followed honestly? According to former officials, the DGCA had earlier also warned Air India about security lapses, but these suggestions were not implemented seriously.

Another serious concern is about transparency. Common passengers are not given information about when an aircraft was last thoroughly checked or whether any warning report was made public or not. There is also a lack of information, like the average age of the aircraft, on the websites of airlines.

Technical aspects and independent monitoring

Technically, every aircraft should have systems such as engine health monitoring, vibration analysis, and oil debris monitoring. The data from these tests should be verified not just by the airlines but also by an independent agency.

Western countries have independent and technically competent inspection bodies such as the FAA (US) or EASA (EU). The lack of such a system in India is a matter of concern. Should India also adopt such an independent monitoring system now?

Bird strikes and the role of airport management

Bird strikes are also being reported as a risk factor for accidents. In India, the incidence of bird strikes increases during monsoon and summer. Are wildlife hazard management programs effectively implemented at airports? Are measures to remove birds from the runway using drones, lasers, or other equipment regularly taken?

Responsibility of providing information to passengers

The most important question is—are passengers given all the technical and safety information so that they can make informed decisions? For example, if a warning light or technical glitch is seen repeatedly in an aircraft, are passengers informed about it?

In this context, it is important that airlines are held accountable, and they must bring transparency to their processes.