A Pilot's Note - Uncertain Skies: Complicity and Mismanagement in Air India's Safety Crisis"

The quick choice to send the black box to the Us for examination, along with its sudden "damage" and the claim that it can't be analysed in India despite a new 9 crore lab, makes us question how fair the investigation is. The fact that the Boeing CEO was in India when this decision was made also makes people suspect foul play. This is especially true because Boeing has a lot to lose financially and reputation-wise if a manufacturing problem is found. This whole situation leaves other pilots feeling powerless and disbelieving, suggesting that the missing crew's outcome might already be decided.

Air India Chairman N Chandrashekaran's announcement of compensation, made even before a full count of casualties, was widely perceived as insensitive, mistimed, and opportunistic. Simple calculations would suggest that compensation could have been covered directly by insurance, resulting in no financial gain or loss for the airline. The CEO's plagiarised condolence message further reflects a concerning lack of sincerity and highlights the dire state of affairs within the airline. Morale is exceptionally low, scheduling practices are deeply corrupt, engineering standards compromise cockpit and cabin safety, and management appears focused solely on self-preservation. Foreign officials, seemingly indifferent, declare the airline "world-class," a stark contrast to the grim reality.

The DGCA's harsh crackdown on airline historical infractions sparks debate over selective accountability. Operational staff, like Choorah Singh, were fired for minor roster issues, yet flight safety personnel face no punishment despite documented audit falsifications and a recent catastrophic crash. This raises questions about the DGCA's true focus: is it genuine systemic safety reform or a superficial purge targeting lower-level employees while shielding those responsible for severe lapses?

The grave state of airline safety demands immediate and decisive action. The current leadership, including Henry Donahue (whose spouse also serves as a consultant), Harpreet A De Singh (wife of Captain Pushpender Singh, who faced numerous inquiries and was instrumental in the decline of Air India Express before his removal), Nitin Anand, Rajeev Gupta, Manish Jha, and their associates, must be replaced. A completely new and capable team is urgently needed to oversee aviation safety, or we risk an escalating number of tragic accidents.

I, On behalf of 6Pistons Media thank Janam Parikh for the picture of VT-ANB, the aircraft that met with an accident on the afternoon of 12th June 2025.