Foundation for Aviation Safety Urges Global Crash Probe Reform
The Foundation for Aviation Safety is calling for urgent reform of the global aircraft accident investigation system, citing outdated protocols, conflicts of interest, and systemic flaws that undermine transparency and delay critical safety improvements.
International investigations are governed by ICAO Annex 13 — a framework dating back to the 1950s. While it has been updated over the years, experts argue that it has not kept pace with modern aviation technology. Today’s aircraft rely on complex software, automation, and global supply chains, yet investigations still follow procedures designed for a simpler, mechanical era.
According to the Foundation, this outdated structure leaves the process vulnerable to bias, political interference, and limited technical expertise. Investigations often rely heavily on input from aircraft manufacturers, which can create conflicts of interest when the cause may involve design or system flaws.
The Foundation warns that investigators frequently default to blaming pilots or human error before all evidence is analyzed — a trend that has eroded public trust. The Air India Flight 171 investigation, for instance, has drawn criticism for omitting critical data such as cockpit audio and fault messages, obscuring the true sequence of system failures.
Similar concerns arose during the Boeing 737 MAX investigations, where evidence was withheld and independent analysis obstructed. The Foundation said it has shared documentation of electrical defects on MAX aircraft with U.S. regulators.
Meanwhile, India’s Federation of Indian Pilots has urged authorities to inspect all Boeing 787 Dreamliners after an Air India aircraft’s emergency power system, the ram air turbine (RAT), deployed midair despite normal engine and electrical readings. The RAT’s unexpected activation renewed concern over electrical reliability in the Dreamliner fleet.
The Foundation is urging ICAO and national authorities to establish independent, globally coordinated investigation bodies with standardized technical expertise, transparent reporting, and immunity from political or corporate pressure.
“The current system fails the traveling public,” a spokesperson said. “We need modern, conflict-free investigations that put safety, not reputation, first.”
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