Pilots Demand Probe Role
Indian Pilots Seek Inclusion in Air India Crash Investigation Review Panel
Anonymous
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked India’s civil aviation minister to include pilot representatives in any independent review of the draft investigation report into the June 2025 Air India AI171 crash, which killed 260 people. As the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau nears completion of its probe, FIP says pilots’ operational expertise should inform scrutiny of the technical evidence. FIP has highlighted a discrepancy in the reported timing of the Boeing 787’s Ram Air Turbine: the preliminary report indicated hydraulic power became available about four seconds after a fuel-system interruption, while simulator testing cited by FIP reportedly took about 18 seconds. FIP wants the difference reproduced, explained and reconciled before the report is finalised, but is not asking investigators to treat the simulator result as conclusive. The draft report is expected in October 2026, and the investigation is being conducted under Indian rules and ICAO standards.
Key Points
1
Before asking for a role in a possible review panel, FIP had sought a formal technical interaction with investigators, including access to flight data, cockpit systems, simulator assessments, maintenance records and flight procedures.
2
The preliminary report placed the aircraft reaching takeoff decision speed (V1) about 56 seconds into the takeoff roll and rotation speed (VR) around 58 seconds.
3
The AAIB investigation is intended to establish the accident’s causes and identify safety lessons, rather than assign blame or liability.
4
The government told the Supreme Court that the draft report would be submitted to it in a sealed cover; the court was also told that FIP’s input could be considered by the AAIB.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
16
Articles
20
Reach
36
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
