The recent Air India crash has once again drawn national attention to a very troubling issue – the state of aviation safety in India. As families mourn the lives lost and authorities begin their investigations, an important question emerges: Are India’s flight safety regulations truly effective, or are we repeatedly being exposed to tragedies that could have been prevented?
Tragedy of revenge
In a horrific incident, a plane flying on a domestic route suddenly crashed while landing and the accident occurred on the spot. From the initial reports we come to know that many people lost their lives and many were injured in this accident.The black box will tell the final story, but even before that, the incident has highlighted serious concerns about operational safety, weather protocols, and emergency preparedness.This is not an isolated incident. India has witnessed many disasters in just a few years in which some accidents were caused by technical failure, some due to human error and some due to infrastructure flaws.Each time, promises are made, investigations are launched, but systemic issues remain largely unresolved.
What the Law Says
India’s civil aviation sector is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Aircraft Act, 1934 and the Aircraft Rules, 1937. These laws empower the DGCA to oversee safety, licensing, airworthiness and operational standards for all Indian carriers. The DGCA also follows international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Despite a fairly robust legal framework, enforcement remains a serious challenge. While the rules are comprehensive on paper, they often have loopholes in:
Pilot training and comfort compliance
Aircraft maintenance and certification
Runway safety management
Weather monitoring and flight clearance
In the present case, if the reports of landing in dangerous weather prove to be true, it will raise serious questions about the role of Air Traffic Control (ATC), the decision-making of the pilot and the pressure exerted on him to continue the flight despite unsafe conditions.
Repeated warnings were ignored
International aviation safety watchdogs have taken India to task several times. In 2018, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded India’s air safety ranking, citing concerns over regulatory oversight. Though the ranking was later restored, it came with a warning: enforcement and oversight must improve. Similarly, in several accident investigation reports, post-crash analyses have repeatedly pointed to poor safety audits, lack of trained personnel at the DGCA, and non-adherence to standard operating procedures.
The Way Forward
The Air India crash must not become another forgotten headline. India urgently needs:
- Transparency in investigations with public release of findings.
- Investment in infrastructure, especially safer runways and better weather forecasting.
- Training and fatigue monitoring for crew and staff, as human error remains a major cause of crashes.
Conclusion
Every air accident is more than just a mechanical failure – it is a failure of oversight, preparation and accountability. The Air India tragedy is a reminder. Unless India takes bold and immediate steps to seriously enforce aviation safety laws, we risk repeating history at the cost of innocent lives. Because in aviation, safety is not an option – it is the law. And every time a plane takes off, that law must be enforced.
Author
Sahil is a legal writer and public policy analyst with a focus on aviation law, regulatory affairs, and constitutional governance in India. With a background in law and journalism, he regularly contributes to legal publications and national news platforms. Passionate about promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness, sahil writes to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and everyday understanding. When not writing he engages in research and advocacy work aimed at improving policy outcomes in civil aviation and public safety.
Well written ✨✨
Well written article with accurate information ✨✨