New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to involve more technical experts in the investigation into the recent Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, raising concerns over the preliminary findings released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
In a letter submitted on Thursday, the pilots’ body claimed the initial AAIB report failed to adequately examine two previously documented technical scenarios, either of which could have led to an automated shutdown of both engines. The association warned that overlooking these possibilities could result in a misleading conclusion about the cause of the crash.
The FIP expressed strong objection to what it described as premature suggestions of pilot error, arguing that the report appeared to imply crew fault without presenting definitive evidence or considering known mechanical failure modes observed in similar Boeing aircraft.
This is not the first time systemic issues with Boeing aircraft have been prematurely attributed to pilot error or suicidal intent, only to be disproven by later investigations, the letter alleged. It further cautioned that drawing early conclusions without thoroughly ruling out technical faults risks repeating investigative missteps of the past.
The pilots’ group called for a deeper reassessment of possible mechanical issues, using data from the aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR), cockpit voice recorder (CVR), and prior Boeing service bulletins.
The FIP also criticised the report’s reliance on selectively paraphrased cockpit voice recordings, which it said unfairly reinforced the pilot error narrative. One such excerpt cited in the report included a conversation between the pilots, where one asked, “Why did you cut off?”, and the other replied, “I did not do so”.
Calling for greater transparency and fairness, the association demanded the inclusion of airline pilot representatives in the probe and a thorough fact-based inquiry before any assignment of blame.
Meanwhile, pilots' group ALPA-India voiced support for the AI-171 flight crew, stating that the pilots made every possible effort to protect passengers and reduce harm on the ground.
“The crew of AI-171 made every possible effort, till their very last breath, to protect the passengers on board and minimise harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgments,” ALPA-India said in a statement, renewing its call for a respectful and evidence-based discussion around the crash.