The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has sought representation on an independent committee that may review the draft final investigation report into the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, while also flagging a simulator-training timing gap.
In a letter dated September 25 to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, FIP said it had learnt that the government was considering an independent review of the draft report being prepared by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
FIP said the AAIB probe should involve experienced pilots, engineers and aviation medicine specialists as subject-matter experts.
The pilots’ body argued that investigators with direct Boeing 787 accident-investigation experience should be part of the process and requested that technical points raised by an independent pilots’ organisation be objectively examined before the report is finalised.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. The AAIB has been investigating the accident for more than a year.
In July, the Centre told the Supreme Court that a draft final report was expected by October.
It also said the draft must be shared with participating states under ICAO procedures and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.
The US National Transportation Safety Board, representing the state of design and manufacture, can submit significant comments.
The consultation process could take 30 to 60 days, depending on the responses.
