Federation of Indian Pilots seeks technical role in review of Air India AI-171 crash report

On September 25, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) wrote to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu asking to be nominated as an independent technical stakeholder in any committee that will examine the draft final investigation report on the Air India AI-171 crash. The letter says the pilots’ body learned the ministry is considering an independent review of the draft and seeks a seat to ensure pilot expertise is applied to unresolved technical issues.

Hindustan TimesAir India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap First Post

Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after take-off on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report in July 2025 that recorded an abrupt fuel-control switch-off on both engines and a subsequent loss of thrust. Under ICAO Annex 13 and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2025, a draft report must be circulated to participating states, including the U.S. NTSB, for substantive comments before finalisation.

First PostHindustan TimesAir India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap

• June 12, 2025 – AI-171 crashes in Ahmedabad.

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• July 2025 – AAIB issues preliminary report.

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• September 25 – FIP sends letter to the minister requesting nomination to any independent review panel.

Air India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap

• October 2025 (expected) – Draft final report to be prepared by the AAIB.

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• October 2026 (projected) – AAIB told the Supreme Court the final report is expected by this month.

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• AAIB: Reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, evidence-based, and that no final conclusions should be drawn before the draft is completed.

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• Civil Aviation Ministry: Said a draft report will be ready by October and will be placed before the Supreme Court in a sealed cover, allowing inputs from stakeholders such as FIP. It cited ICAO and national rules that mandate circulation of the draft to participating states for “significant and substantiated comments.”

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• U.S. NTSB: As the accredited representative of the state of design and manufacture, the NTSB is entitled to review the draft and submit comments per ICAO procedures.

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• RAT power-up timing: AAIB’s data show a four-second interval, whereas simulator testing cited by FIP suggests an 18-second interval. The federation seeks an independent reproduction of the tests.

Air India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap

• Take-off performance: Reported V1 and V_R values differ between the AAIB’s figures and the simulator outcomes, raising questions about the aircraft’s acceleration profile during the critical take-off phase.

Air India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap

FIP has requested an early personal hearing with the civil aviation minister or an authorised ministry official to present its technical submissions. The federation also seeks clarification on whether an independent multidisciplinary committee has been constituted, its composition, terms of reference, and whether FIP will be invited to participate. The draft final report, expected in October, will be reviewed by the proposed independent panel and by the NTSB before the AAIB issues its final findings.

Air India AI171 crash: Pilots’ body seeks role in panel reviewing draft final probe report, flags simulator timing gap Hindustan TimesFirst Post