**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 729, regarding the role of airstrip faults in recent plane crashes, the Ministry of Civil Aviation addressed concerns raised by Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat on July 24, 2025. Specifically, the question pertained to whether airstrip faults were a major contributing factor to a recent plane crash, the number of airfields where such faults were identified, the impact on air services, and the timeline for addressing these faults.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, stated that an investigation was initiated by the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the Aircraft Investigation of Accidents and Incidents Rules, 2017, to ascertain the causes of the Air India flight AI171 accident at Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
A preliminary report was published by the AAIB on July 12, 2025, and is accessible on their website www.aaib.gov.in. According to the preliminary report, no adverse findings related to aerodrome infrastructure have been identified as contributing factors to the accident.
Key Entities Referenced
Air India: The airline whose flight AI171 experienced an accident at Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: The city in Gujarat where the Air India flight AI171 accident occurred.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ashok Kumar Rawat: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 729 in Lok Sabha.
Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: The head of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), responsible for ordering the investigation.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): The agency responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents in India.
Aircraft Investigation of Accidents Incidents Rules, 2017: The set of rules under which the investigation was ordered.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 729
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24th July 2025 )
FAULTS IN AIRSTRIPS
729. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether faults in airstrips have been found to be the major
reason for recent plane crash in the country and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the number of airfields where such faults have been identified;
(c) whether it is affecting air services and if so, the details thereof;
and
(d) the time by which the faults in such airfields are likely to be
addressed?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d): An Investigation has been ordered by the Director General,
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the
Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017 to
determine the probable cause(s)/contributory factor(s) leading to
accident of Air India flight AI-171 at Ahmedabad on 12.06.2025.;
;
A preliminary report on the accident has been published by AAIB on
12.07.2025 and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in. As
per the preliminary report, no adverse finding related to aerodrome
infrastructure has been pointed out.
;******