AviationSafety – Pilot Federation Raises Concerns Over Air India Crash Report Timeline
AviationSafety – India’s leading pilots’ association has appealed to authorities to avoid releasing an interim investigation report into the Air India Ahmedabad crash merely to align with the one-year reporting timeline. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) stated that any premature findings could create uncertainty and distract from a thorough examination of the tragedy that claimed 260 lives.
Federation Submits Detailed Representation
The federation recently submitted a comprehensive dossier to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). According to the organization, its recommendations are intended to support aviation safety and ensure that the final conclusions are based on complete technical evidence.
The June 12, 2025 accident involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner resulted in the deaths of 241 people onboard and 19 others on the ground. Only one passenger survived the crash, making it one of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent years.
Concern Over Possible Interim Findings
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines require accident investigation authorities to publish a final report as soon as possible and generally within 12 months of an accident. With the anniversary of the crash approaching on June 12, 2026, reports have suggested that an interim document may be issued before the deadline.
In a letter addressed to authorities, FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa argued that ICAO regulations do not specifically require an interim report. He warned that releasing partial findings could encourage speculation and public confusion while the investigation remains ongoing. The federation believes that any incomplete assessment may affect the credibility and effectiveness of the final inquiry.
Technical Evidence Presented by Pilots’ Body
Among the materials submitted by the federation are technical records linked to the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS). The organization stated that messages transmitted around the time of departure, along with certain engine-control system design characteristics, deserve closer examination before any conclusions are drawn.
The federation contends that available technical evidence challenges theories that have placed responsibility on the flight crew. It cited reports suggesting that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was found still holding the aircraft’s control column after the crash, arguing that such information should be carefully evaluated alongside other investigative findings.
Focus on Engine Control Systems
The submission also references publicly available technical documentation related to Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems. According to the federation, specific fail-safe mechanisms within fuel-control architecture can reduce fuel flow under certain fault conditions. Such responses, it argues, may contribute to an in-flight engine shutdown scenario if particular system failures occur.
To support its position, the organization provided details of multiple ACARS messages reportedly transmitted by Flight AI-171 shortly after takeoff. The federation has requested that these original communications be formally reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Alternative Theory Involving Electrical Disturbance
Another area highlighted by the pilots’ body involves potential electrical anomalies. The federation suggested that abnormal current flow, electrical arcing, insulation failure, or grounding issues could affect critical avionics systems.
According to its submission, a disruption within the Boeing 787’s integrated network architecture could theoretically interfere with data supplied to engine-control computers. Such interference, it argues, may trigger protective responses within both engine-control systems, potentially affecting engine performance.
Call for Greater Transparency
The federation has urged regulators to require Air India to provide all original ACARS maintenance communications related to the flight and explain whether any relevant information was omitted during earlier stages of the investigation. It has also requested that Boeing assist investigators by decoding and interpreting technical message strings associated with the aircraft.
Additionally, FIP questioned why certain witness statements and autopsy-related observations were not discussed in the preliminary report released in July 2025. The organization has asked investigators to address these concerns, along with technical issues raised in several previous submissions, before publishing the final report.