Key facts
- The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) alleges investigators overlooked a survivor's statement about flickering lights in the AI171 crash.
- FIP believes this statement could be key evidence for an electrical failure angle.
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) issued an interim statement on the probe, promising a final report later.
- The AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, killed 260 people, with one passenger surviving.
- FIP has communicated its concerns to aviation authorities without receiving a response.
- FIP questions the qualifications of the AAIB investigation team.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has criticized the investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash, alleging that investigators have not given sufficient importance to the statement of the sole survivor. FIP President C S Randhawa stated that the survivor's account of flickering lights inside the aircraft could be crucial evidence for probing a potential electrical failure.
Randhawa claimed that the FIP has made multiple attempts over the past year to engage with the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the AI171 probe, but has received no response. This criticism comes on the same day the AAIB released an interim statement on the crash investigation.
The AAIB's interim statement indicated that the final report will be published upon completion of all investigative activities and requisite reviews. The bureau affirmed its commitment to a thorough, independent, objective, and evidence-based investigation, noting that the team has spent the last year examining technical, operational, organizational, and human factors related to the accident.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025. The accident resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground, with one passenger, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, being the sole survivor. All 12 crew members perished.
Earlier, in a preliminary report released in July last year, the AAIB stated that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a one-second interval, causing confusion in the cockpit. Randhawa countered this, asserting that the FIP provided evidence from Boeing and Honeywell suggesting that fuel control switches were not moved and that an electrical problem led to the malfunction. He pointed to transmitted codes that have not been made public as further evidence of electrical issues.
Randhawa also questioned the absence of a transcript related to the 'gear up' command, a standard procedure after a positive climb is indicated. He emphasized the significance of the survivor's observation of flickering cabin lights, noting that such lights are typically switched off during takeoff and that this observation, if corroborated with electrical malfunctions, could be vital evidence. He alleged that the specific aircraft model has a history of electrical problems since its manufacture.
The FIP has expressed a lack of confidence in the investigating team, a sentiment communicated to the AAIB and the Prime Minister. Randhawa criticized the five-member AAIB investigation team, stating they did not meet the statutory requirements for investigating such a severe crash.