The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, asking the civil aviation ministry to ensure that its technical submissions on the AI 171 crash are formally considered before the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) finalises its report. The crash investigation is at an advanced stage.
In its letter on Friday, the pilots’ body also sought to be nominated as an “independent technical participant in the review of the draft AI171 final investigation report” if the government sets up an independent review process before the report is circulated or finalised.
FIP said it has now “reliably learnt that the government/ ministry has directed or is considering requiring the draft report to undergo examination by an independent committee before it is circulated/ finalised”. Against this backdrop, it said that if such an independent review mechanism is being constituted, it should be formally nominated and represented in that process as an independent technical stakeholder representing the professional pilot community.
There was no immediate comment from the civil aviation ministry or the AAIB on the FIP letter. According to the letter, FIP’s technical submissions should receive formal and documented consideration before the investigation report is finalised. Last week, FIP had asked the AAIB to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of electrical system evidence related to Boeing 787 planes as part of the AI 171 crash probe.
Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, was flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed soon after take-off on June 12, 2025, during the initial climb. The accident killed 241 people on board and 19 people on the ground, taking the toll to 260. One passenger survived, while all 12 crew members died. Among the dead were citizens of India, the UK, Portugal and Canada.
The aircraft, manufactured in 2013 and powered by GE engines, had flown 41,868 hours. Its Airworthiness Review Certificate was valid till May 23, 2026. In its interim statement on the AI171 crash probe, the AAIB said on June 12 that significant progress had been made and that the final report would be released after completion of all investigative activities and the required international review and consultation processes. Without sharing specific details on the probe’s status or findings, it also said the investigation team had carried out an extensive and rigorous examination of all relevant technical, operational, organisational and human factors associated with the accident over the last year.
The latest letter from FIP centres on the final stage of the probe, with the body asking the ministry to ensure that its submissions are formally examined and that it is included in any independent review process before the AI 171 report is finalised.
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With PTI inputs
