AI-171 Crash: FIP Raises Concerns About Investigation Methodology and Pilot Representation

Following the AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has voiced ‘serious’ concerns regarding the investigation process and its preliminary findings. The FIP is specifically critical of the exclusion of pilot representatives from the investigation conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). In a statement, the FIP expressed strong disagreement with how the preliminary report has been interpreted and presented publicly. The FIP alleges that the report relies on limited data and paraphrased cockpit voice recordings, which may suggest pilot error and undermine the flight crew’s competence. The federation has called on stakeholders to avoid spreading incomplete information or making assumptions before a thorough investigation is completed. The AAIB report indicates the engines were switched to ‘cutoff,’ and the fuel supply was cut off. The cockpit voice recording captured one pilot denying they initiated the action. The AI 171 crash, involving a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft, resulted in 260 deaths.