The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has turned down a request from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India to include a representative in the investigative team for the Air India AI 171 crash that occurred on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals.
ALPA India President Sam Thomas reported that the AAIB cited government regulations as the reason for its inability to include pilots as subject matter experts in the investigation team. After a meeting between ALPA and AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar in New Delhi, Thomas stated, “There was not much discussion on the Air India plane crash due to the ongoing investigation. We have been assured that we will be invited to quarterly meetings in the future.”
ALPA India, an associate member of the global pilots’ organization IFALPA, has voiced its concerns regarding its exclusion from the probe into the aviation tragedy, which took place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The union emphasized that the meeting aimed to discuss its role as a subject matter expert in accident investigations. According to ALPA India, such collaboration could enhance investigative processes by incorporating pilots’ perspectives, ultimately leading to safer skies for all.
The Air India Boeing 787-8, which was operating flight AI 171 to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers. In its preliminary report released on July 12, the AAIB noted that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within one second, causing confusion in the cockpit immediately after takeoff.
On September 22, the Supreme Court labeled the selective publication of the preliminary report—which highlighted alleged shortcomings on the part of the pilots—as a “media narrative,” describing it as “unfortunate and irresponsible.”
