Raising objections to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the tragic Air India crash of June 12 in Ahmedabad, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India on Saturday alleged that the tone and direction of the probe suggest “a bias toward pilot error.”
The AAIB’s report revealed that both fuel control switches supplying fuel to the engines of Air India Flight 171 were turned off in quick succession, leading to the shutdown of both engines. The aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad just seconds after takeoff.
According to the findings, the cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why he had cut off the fuel, to which the latter responded that “he did not.”
In response, the pilots’ association stated: “The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error. We categorically reject this presumption and insist on a fair, fact-based inquiry.”
Expressing concerns about a lack of transparency, the association criticized the release of the preliminary report to the media, claiming it had been “leaked” without any official signature or attribution.
It also raised the issue of experienced personnel, particularly line pilots, not being included in the investigation team.
“The report was leaked to the media without any responsible official signature or attribution. There is a lack of transparency, as investigations continue to be shrouded in secrecy, undermining credibility and public trust. Qualified, experienced personnel, especially line pilots, are still not part of the investigation team,” the statement said.
The AAIB released its 15-page preliminary report early Saturday, detailing the circumstances of the crash that claimed 260 lives including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.