NEW DELHI — Indian aviation authorities have taken the rare step of conducting a psychological autopsy on the pilots involved in the 2020 Air India Express crash in Kozhikode, according to a court filing obtained by Reuters. The disclosure, made in response to a Right to Information (RTI) petition, marks the first known use of this forensic technique in an Indian air accident investigation, raising critical questions about the role of pilot mental health in aviation safety.
The filing by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirms that psychological autopsies were performed on both deceased pilots but does not disclose the findings. The procedure, typically used in suicide investigations, involves reconstructing an individual’s mental state before death through interviews with family, colleagues, and medical records. Its application in this case suggests investigators are examining whether fatigue, stress, or other psychological factors contributed to the crash, which killed 21 people and injured 190 others.
What Happened
On August 7, 2020, Air India Express Flight IX-1344, a Boeing 737-800, overshot the runway at Kozhikode’s Calicut International Airport during a second landing attempt in heavy monsoon rains. The aircraft broke into pieces upon impact, killing both pilots, 19 passengers, and injuring scores more. The AAIB’s preliminary report cited pilot error and adverse weather as contributing factors, but the final investigation remains ongoing.
The recent court filing, submitted in response to an RTI petition filed by an unnamed individual, reveals that psychological autopsies were conducted as part of the probe. The AAIB has not publicly released the report or commented on its contents, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Aviation experts say the use of psychological autopsies in air accident probes is uncommon, particularly in India, where such techniques are more frequently associated with criminal or suicide investigations.
Why It Matters
The inclusion of psychological autopsies in the Air India Express probe underscores a growing global focus on pilot mental health in aviation safety. While the AAIB has not linked the procedure to any definitive conclusions, the move reflects an effort to explore all possible factors in the crash, including those that may not be immediately apparent from flight data or cockpit voice recorders.
The decision to conduct psychological autopsies also raises broader questions about transparency and accountability in India’s air accident investigations. Families of the victims and aviation safety advocates have criticized the AAIB’s reluctance to release the findings, arguing that full disclosure is essential for preventing future tragedies. The agency’s silence has fueled speculation about whether the psychological autopsies uncovered evidence of systemic issues, such as pilot fatigue or inadequate mental health support within the aviation industry.
Background and Context
The Kozhikode crash was one of India’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent years. The Boeing 737-800, operated by Air India Express, a low-cost subsidiary of Air India, was attempting to land on Kozhikode’s tabletop runway—a short, elevated runway that poses unique challenges for pilots, particularly in poor weather conditions. The aircraft touched down during heavy rain, skidded off the runway, and broke into pieces, with the fuselage splitting into multiple sections.
The AAIB’s preliminary report, released in September 2020, identified several factors contributing to the crash, including:
– The pilots’ decision to attempt a second landing despite unstable approach conditions.
– Adverse weather, including heavy rain and strong crosswinds.
– Possible miscommunication between the pilots and air traffic control.
– The challenging nature of Kozhikode’s tabletop runway, which lacks a safety overrun area.
The report did not mention pilot mental health or psychological factors, but the subsequent disclosure of psychological autopsies suggests investigators are now exploring these dimensions. Psychological autopsies are not standard practice in aviation accident investigations, but they have been used in high-profile cases where pilot behavior or decision-making is under scrutiny. For example, the 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 crash, in which the co-pilot deliberately flew the aircraft into a mountain, led to calls for greater mental health screening in aviation.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The AAIB’s decision to conduct psychological autopsies has sparked debate among aviation experts. Some argue that the procedure is a necessary step in understanding the human factors behind the crash, particularly given the pilots’ decision to attempt a second landing in hazardous conditions. Others, however, question the reliability of psychological autopsies, which rely heavily on subjective accounts from family and colleagues and may not provide definitive answers.
The lack of transparency around the findings has also drawn criticism. The AAIB has not released the psychological autopsy report, nor has it provided a timeline for when the full investigation will be completed. This has left families of the victims and aviation safety advocates in the dark about whether the procedure uncovered any new evidence. Some experts have called for the AAIB to release a summary of the findings, even if the full report remains confidential.
There is also uncertainty about how the psychological autopsy findings will be integrated into the final report. Aviation investigations typically focus on technical and procedural factors, such as aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and air traffic control protocols. The inclusion of psychological factors could represent a shift in how India approaches air accident investigations, but it remains unclear whether the AAIB will treat these findings as conclusive or merely exploratory.
What to Watch Next
The AAIB’s handling of the psychological autopsy findings will be closely scrutinized in the coming months. Key developments to watch include:
1. Release of the Final Report: The AAIB has not provided a timeline for the completion of its investigation. Families of the victims and aviation experts are likely to pressure the agency to release the report as soon as possible, particularly given the unusual inclusion of psychological autopsies.
2. Transparency and Accountability: The AAIB’s reluctance to disclose the psychological autopsy findings has raised concerns about transparency. If the agency continues to withhold the report, it could face legal challenges or public backlash from victims’ families and advocacy groups.
3. Regulatory Changes: Depending on the findings, the psychological autopsies could lead to changes in India’s aviation regulations, particularly regarding pilot mental health screening and fatigue management. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may also review its protocols for investigating air accidents to include psychological factors.
4. Industry Response: Airlines and pilot unions are likely to weigh in on the implications of the psychological autopsies. If the findings suggest systemic issues, such as inadequate mental health support for pilots, the industry may face pressure to implement reforms.
5. Global Precedent: The use of psychological autopsies in the Air India Express probe could set a precedent for future aviation investigations in India and beyond. If the procedure is seen as a valuable tool for understanding human factors in crashes, other countries may adopt similar practices.
Conclusion
The disclosure of psychological autopsies in the Air India Express crash probe represents a significant development in India’s approach to aviation safety. While the procedure is not standard in air accident investigations, its inclusion suggests a growing recognition of the role that mental health and human factors play in aviation disasters. However, the AAIB’s reluctance to release the findings has raised questions about transparency and accountability, leaving families of the victims and aviation experts in the dark about whether the autopsies uncovered critical new evidence.
As the investigation continues, the focus will shift to how the AAIB integrates the psychological autopsy findings into its final report—and whether the agency will take steps to address any systemic issues that may have contributed to the crash. For now, the case serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between human factors, technical failures, and regulatory oversight in aviation safety. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for how India—and the world—approaches the prevention of future air disasters.
Story synopsis gathered from: [Reuters via Google News India](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixgFBVV95cUxPNmRiTGh4Y0ZlV3Vjd1ZxRkN6d3FaZGQtdlBJb0JseHJPSkdsaUNaS2NUOGpzeWJJQk45X2NpS3Z6eUxreDJDVXZCU1pOT1hnTGNaSWZNNElCSWcybm1Vd05CVDJ3cFoxTHVjdmJCMFRnZFZEZF9tX0Nhb0Yxc3ZEYTBZWl9sbW02QzdrSmt0T3BHQnhkSmtqeUhmYjRTWVNoOWJiS2RUV1pWUFNFV0hJOWExVlM1ZWRMUXI2V0twNXFDX1VTX3c?oc=5) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India — source.
