A key point of contention for ALPA-India is what it sees as an implicit bias in the tone of the investigation, pointing towards pilot error without conclusive evidence.
Published Jul 12, 2025 | 4:18 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 12, 2025 | 4:18 PM
Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June.
Synopsis: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-India) has expressed serious concern over the handling of the preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI 171, citing the unauthorised leak of the 12 July AAIB report and the exclusion of experienced line pilots from the inquiry process. In a letter to the Press Trust of India, the association questioned the leak of sensitive details to international media and demanded clarity on whether safety recommendations linked to the aircraft’s fuel control systems were implemented before the flight.
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-India) has issued a strongly worded statement expressing serious concern over the handling of the preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI 171.
In a letter addressed to the Press Trust of India, ALPA-India President Capt Sam Thomas criticised the 12 July preliminary Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, describing it as “shared with the media without any official signature or attribution.”
Furthermore, the association voiced dissatisfaction with what it sees as a lack of transparency in the ongoing investigation.
“[The] investigation continues to be shrouded in secrecy, which undermines its credibility and public trust. Qualified, experienced personnel – particularly line pilots – have still not been included in the investigation team,” the statement reads.
“ALPA-India renews its request to be included – at the very least, as observers – in the investigation process to ensure transparency and accountability.”
The association has further raised alarm over the leak of sensitive details to international media, which referenced the inadvertent movement of the fuel control switches – an issue at the core of the crash.
“A 10 July article in The Wall Street Journal refers to the inadvertent movement of the fuel control switches,” ALPA-India noted. “ALPA-India questions how such sensitive investigative details were leaked to international media.”
The AAIB report cited a serviceability bulletin related to the aircraft’s fuel control switch gates, suggesting a potential mechanical fault. ALPA-India stated that it welcomed the mention of the bulletin but demanded clarity on whether corrective actions were taken prior to the flight.
“The report refers to a serviceability bulletin concerning the fuel control switch gates, indicating a possible equipment malfunction,” the association said. “While the bulletin is acknowledged, ALPA-India demands clarity on whether the recommendations outlined in the bulletin were implemented prior to the flight.”
A key point of contention for ALPA-India is what it sees as an implicit bias in the tone of the investigation, pointing towards pilot error without conclusive evidence.
“The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias towards attributing the incident to pilot error,” the statement reads. “ALPA-India categorically rejects this presumption and insists on a fair, evidence-based inquiry.”
On 12 June, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The aircraft was bound for London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 crew members. It went down in Meghani Nagar, striking the campus of BJ Medical College.
The crash resulted in the death of 241 people on board. One person survived the crash, though seriously injured. On the ground, 19 more individuals, including four medical students, lost their lives.
According to the AAIB’s preliminary report, released on 11 July, the engines failed after the fuel control switches were moved from the “RUN” to the “CUTOFF” position in quick succession. The aircraft reached its peak airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC, and moments later, both Engine 1 and Engine 2 experienced fuel shutoff.
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other replied that he had not. The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder showed subsequent attempts to relight the engines, with only partial success before the aircraft crashed.
The report also confirmed that fuel quality was satisfactory and both pilots were well rested.
However, the AAIB noted, “At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers,” while adding that the investigation remains ongoing and further evidence is being sought.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
