Pilots’ Group Seeks Technical Hearing Before Final Air India AI-171 Crash Report
NEW DELHI — The Federation of Indian Pilots has asked the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau for a formal hearing and technical discussion before it completes its final report into the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad.
The request follows a July 28 Supreme Court order that recorded the government’s assurance that suggestions and technical inputs submitted by the pilots’ group would be considered during the investigation.
FIP has asked to be formally recognized as an aviation stakeholder, with its technical submissions included in the investigation record and reviewed by the appropriate investigation team.
In a letter, FIP President Capt. C.S. Randhawa requested a personal hearing or technical meeting with the investigator-in-charge and relevant experts before the final report is completed.
The group said it wants to provide input on simulator testing and reconstruction, sequence-of-events analysis, crew performance and human factors, aircraft and system behavior, and operational and regulatory oversight.
It also wants to discuss simulator configuration and accuracy, testing assumptions and methodology, flight-data correlation, cockpit workload, aircraft systems, warning mechanisms, and training and procedural requirements.
FIP also asked the AAIB, where appropriate, to identify the technical specialist or discipline responsible for reviewing each substantive issue it has raised.
The pilots’ group stressed that it is not seeking confidential personal information or material that could undermine the independence of the investigation.
“FIP’s objective is not to interfere with, influence or prejudge the independent investigation, but to ensure that relevant operational and technical perspectives are available to the investigation authority before its conclusions are finalised,” the organization said.
FIP requested that the proposed technical meeting take place by Sept. 15, citing an anticipated timeline for completion of the investigation in the first week of October.
Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. (Source: IANS)
