Air India Crash Report: Pilots' Association Smells Bias; Seeks Fair, Fact-Based Probe

Underscoring the possibility of a bias towards pilot error in the  Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the June 12 Ahmedabad Air India plane crash, the Air Line Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) on Saturday demanded a fair and fact-based probe.

"The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias towards pilot error... ALPA India categorically rejects this presumption and insists on a fair, fact-based inquiry," Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) said in a statement, as per PTI

On June 12, Air India's AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 plane, operating between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and London Gatwick Airport, crashed into Ahmedabad's B J Medical College within 32 seconds after taking off due to several technical glitches.

What Did The Report Say?

In its preliminary report, AAIB found that the fuel supply to both engines of Air India flight AI171 was cut off, which caused confusion in the cockpit and led to the plane crash.

The preliminary findings mentioned that both fuel control switches of the Boeing 787 aircraft were flipped from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within seconds of take-off from Ahmedabad, which led to engine shutdown. One of the pilots was heard asking the other why he cut off, and the latter responded, saying he did not do.

However, the AAIB report does not specify whether the switches were moved inadvertently or deliberately. The report also mentions a potential malfunction related to the serviceability of the fuel control switch gates.

What Did The Pilots' Association Say?

In an official statement, Captain Sam Thomas, President of Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India, said, "We feel that the investigation is being driven in a direction presuming the guilt of pilots, and we strongly object to this line of thought."

The association has also demanded that its representatives should be observers in the investigation process to ensure transparency and accountability.

ALPA India is a member associate of the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association (IFALPA).

The association has appealed to the authorities to allow pilot representatives to participate in the investigation process, even in the capacity of observers, to ensure transparency.

“We once again request the powers that be to include us even in the capacity of observers, to provide the requisite transparency in the investigations,” the statement concluded.

'Don't Jump To Conclusions': Union Minister Urges

In view of the preliminary report, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu urged the public and media to refrain from jumping to conclusions until the final findings are released.

Speaking to ANI, the union minister said, "This is a preliminary report, at the ministry we are analysing it...We are coordinating with AIBB for any support they need. We are hoping that the final reports come out soon so that we can arrive at some conclusion."

Further expressing faith in the country's pilots, he said,"I truly believe we have the most wonderful workforce in terms of pilots and the crew in the whole world have to Pilots and crew are the backbone of the aviation industry."