Air India 171 crash: US lawyer urges release of flight data, says blaming dead pilots is tactic to shield manufacturers; details here

Time of India

13 hours ago

Sixty-five families from India and the United Kingdom who lost relatives in the June 12 Air India flight AI171 crash have engaged the US-based law firm Beasley Allen to explore legal options. Aviation attorney Mike Andrews has called for the release of the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders to determine the cause and possible liability in one of India's deadliest air disasters in recent years.
Site visits and meetings with families
Mike Andrews, representing these families, visited the crash site in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area before meeting relatives in Vadodara. He said families want to know exactly what caused the crash and the options available to them. The majority of the families are from Gujarat and neighbouring Diu.
From Vadodara, Andrews plans to travel to Surat and Diu to meet more families before visiting Ahmedabad again. He also met relatives from the UK and said they all expressed a strong desire for transparency and access to complete investigation data.
Legal options and possible jurisdictions
Andrews explained that if the investigation finds a technical defect—such as issues with the FADEC system, throttle control, or other aircraft systems—a product liability claim could be filed in a US federal court. If Boeing is found responsible, he said the US legal system offers individuals and families a fair chance to hold multinational corporations accountable.
He also noted that if Air India is found liable, claims would fall under the Montreal Convention. However, he emphasised that legal steps depend entirely on full access to flight recorder data, which he said the Indian authorities and Air India currently possess.
Concerns over delays and narrative
Andrews criticised delays in releasing critical flight data, suggesting that withholding information hampers the families' ability to seek justice. He said that in many cases globally, pilots—especially those who did not survive—are blamed early in the investigation, which can divert attention from possible technical or manufacturing issues.
He pointed to reports suggesting pilot error in this case, calling such narratives 'typical' of manufacturers seeking to deflect scrutiny from their products. Andrews urged that the complete data be shared with attorneys and experts so an accurate assessment can be made.
AirIndia plane crashed in a residential area. The nearby buildings has caught fire. #planecrash pic.twitter.com/OU6IsXKxAE
Background on the crash and compensation
On June 12, 2025, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating Air India flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, hitting a medical hostel complex. The crash killed 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard and 19 people on the ground, including four medical students.
Interim compensation of ₹25 lakh has been paid to families of 147 passengers and 19 ground victims, to be adjusted against final payouts. The Tata Group has also announced an ex gratia of ₹1 crore per deceased victim through the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, alongside rebuilding efforts for affected infrastructure and aid to first responders.
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