India has declined the United Nations' offer to send an investigator to observe the probe into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had offered an investigator to assist India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), but the proposal was rejected, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The ICAO’s offer, made without a formal request from India, marks a rare move by the agency. Previously, ICAO investigators were involved in cases like the 2014 downing of a Malaysian airliner and the 2020 crash of a Ukrainian jet, but only after invitations. In this case, ICAO asked for observer status for the investigator already in India, which Indian authorities denied.
The AAIB, leading the investigation into the deadliest aviation accident in over a decade, has faced criticism from aviation experts for delays in analyzing black box data. The combined flight data and cockpit voice recorder was recovered on June 13, with a second unit found on June 16, but data wasn't downloaded until nearly two weeks after the crash.
Concerns have also emerged over the lack of transparency, with only one press conference held and no questions taken. It remains unclear whether the black box data is being analyzed in India or the U.S., despite the National Transportation Safety Board’s involvement.
Under international aviation rules (Annex 13), crucial data should be assessed promptly to help prevent future disasters. While the Indian civil aviation ministry claims compliance with ICAO protocols, global scrutiny continues. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the incident.