New Delhi: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has raised concerns over the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the tragic Air India flight AI 171 crash that claimed 260 lives in June.
ALPA India President Sam Thomas said the report appeared rushed and lacked clarity, adding that it seemed everyone was trying to “give a clean chit to everyone else.” He criticised the report’s language as being “open to interpretation,” which, he said, has led to unnecessary speculation in aviation circles. Thomas also questioned why the report was not signed by officials, calling it a “basic lapse in process.”
According to the AAIB’s initial findings, fuel supply to both engines of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft was cut off within one second, causing confusion in the cockpit shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The cockpit voice recorder reportedly captured a pilot asking his colleague why the fuel supply had been cut off, with the second pilot replying, “I didn’t.”
ALPA India expressed concern over its exclusion from the official investigation, noting that pilot expertise is vital for thorough crash probes. At a meeting with AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar, the bureau cited government norms as the reason pilots could not be directly involved, though ALPA India has been assured of participation in future quarterly meetings.
Flight AI 171 was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed, killing all 241 passengers and 19 crew members, marking it as one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. ALPA India has reiterated its call for inclusion in investigations to ensure transparent inquiries and improved aviation safety.
