The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has demanded a judicial inquiry into last year’s crash of Air India Flight 171, saying the preliminary probe contains serious gaps and rejecting media suggestions that the disaster was the result of deliberate pilot action. The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, when the Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad; the aircraft was reported to be carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, and the tragedy claimed 241 lives.
Addressing a press conference, FIP president Captain C.S. Randhawa said the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) left key questions unanswered and urged a court-led probe to establish facts transparently. He voiced particular concern about the handling and condition of the aircraft’s two flight recorders, noting that the forward recorder appeared less damaged despite heavy burning in the front section, while the tail unit was reportedly more severely damaged. “These aspects require closer examination by independent experts,” he said.
Randhawa also questioned the composition of the investigation board, saying the inclusion of officials deputed from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) created a potential conflict of interest. He called for independent subject-matter experts to be added to ensure a fair and credible outcome.
The pilots’ body condemned reports in parts of the Western media that advanced a pilot-suicide theory based on cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcripts. “We condemn that,” representatives said, alleging that investigation details were leaked to foreign outlets and premature conclusions were promoted. Randhawa noted the preliminary report cited only about two seconds of CVR audio and warned against drawing conclusions from such limited material.
FIP reiterated its view that the aircraft may have suffered an electrical failure. Randhawa said the plane had earlier returned from Delhi with a stabiliser-related fault; motors were replaced and the aircraft was declared airworthy, but crew had reported electrical and air‑conditioning problems. The association urged investigators to examine possible technical glitches common to Boeing 787 aircraft in the past.
The pilots’ body also questioned why ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) messages allegedly sent by the aircraft were absent from the AAIB’s preliminary report. Criticising the pace of the probe, FIP said almost a year after the June 12, 2025 crash no draft final report had been shared with stakeholders and warned that interim findings could fuel confusion and speculation. It renewed its demand for a judicial inquiry and for a comprehensive final report to restore public confidence and inform any safety reforms.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/pilots-body-demands-judicial-probe-in-air-india-crash-rejects-western-medias-pilot-suicide-narrative-14021353.html
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Publish Date: 2026-06-11 16:27:00
