India
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has made contact with the Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu requesting for their presence in an independent committee to review the draft final investigation report for the Air India AI-171 crash.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) asked Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to include pilots in a committee reviewing the draft final report on the June 12, 2025, Air India AI-171 crash from Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, citing concerns over the AAIB investigation’s expertise.
Air India flight AI-171, which was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad on 12th June 2025 resulting in death of 260 passengers.
Investigation into the crash is currently under way by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
FIP Seeks Place On Independent Review Committee
In a letter sent on September 25, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) stated that it had been made aware that the government or Civil Aviation Ministry was contemplating carrying out an independent evaluation of the draft final report prior to circulating and finalizing it.
The pilots’ organization has requested the ministry to make FIP part of the independent review mechanism as planned.
The organization felt that if an independent committee was formed to look into the draft report, then it must contain representation of professionals such as pilots who could critically evaluate the technical aspects of the inquiry.
Pilots Question Expertise In Investigation
The Federation of Indian Pilots also raised concerns about the composition and expertise of the investigation team.
It said the AAIB investigation should have included experienced pilots, aircraft engineers and aviation medicine specialists as subject matter experts.
According to the pilots’ body, it had repeatedly argued that subject matter experts should be part of the investigation because, in its view, the existing investigators did not have sufficient experience in investigating an accident involving a Boeing 787.
The FIP said the involvement of an independent professional pilots’ organisation could help ensure that technical issues are objectively examined and, where appropriate, included in the investigation record.
Why The Draft Report Will Go Through A Review Process
The request comes as the AAIB moves towards completing its investigation into the Ahmedabad crash.
In July, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the investigation was expected to be completed within six weeks and that a draft final report would be ready by October.
However, the government said the draft report could not be released immediately because aviation investigation rules require consultation with other states involved in the investigation.
The Centre cited the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) framework and the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.
Under the process described by the government, the draft report has to be shared with relevant participating states for their significant and substantiated comments.
In the AI-171 investigation, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is involved as the accredited representative of the state of design and manufacture of the aircraft.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that the consultation process could take 30 to 60 days, depending on the nature and complexity of the responses received.
Probe Into One Of India’s Deadliest Recent Air Crashes
The AI-171 crash occurred moments after the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick on June 12, 2025.
The accident killed 260 people, including passengers and people on the ground.
The AAIB has been investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the aircraft’s operation and technical and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
