Air India to Restore Flights as Crash Renews Calls for Cockpit Video Recorders
Air India will begin partially restoring international flights on August 1, following a "safety pause" and enhanced checks on its Boeing 787 fleet after the deadly AI-171 crash in June. The crash, which killed 260 people, has also reignited a global debate over mandating cockpit video recorders to supplement existing logs. Aviation safety experts argue video could be invaluable for investigations, while pilots' unions have raised concerns about privacy and potential misuse of such footage.
Unpacked:
The official cause of the Air India AI-171 crash remains under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate maintenance on the throttle module and no issues with fuel quality or crew health were found. However, experts have highlighted irregularities in the investigation and limited information released by Indian authorities, making the exact cause unclear at this stage.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is conducting the investigation, with a preliminary report expected soon. Aviation experts have raised concerns about the credibility and transparency of the investigation, noting the exclusion of Air India, Boeing, and international agencies from active participation, and a lack of public information about the crew and technical factors.
Cockpit video recorders are controversial because, while safety experts see them as valuable for crash investigations, pilots' unions worry about privacy and the potential misuse of footage. Pilots fear that video could be used for purposes beyond safety, such as disciplinary action or public exposure, raising concerns over personal privacy and trust.
Yes, airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa conducted inspections of their Boeing 787 fleets following the Air India crash. Both airlines reported that their aircraft were functioning correctly and found no fuel-related issues, indicating a proactive industry response to safety concerns raised by the incident.