The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised serious concerns over the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed 260 people, urging the government to investigate potential technical failures in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. In a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry, FIP criticized the report for suggesting pilot error without conclusive evidence, while overlooking documented technical issues that could have caused an automated engine shutdown.

The AAIB’s July 12 report revealed that the aircraft’s fuel control switches moved to the “CUTOFF” position seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick, causing both engines to lose thrust. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot questioning the other about the cutoff, with the other denying responsibility. FIP argues this points to possible mechanical or electronic faults, such as issues with the Thrust Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA), Electronic Engine Controller (EEC), or Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), rather than human error.

FIP highlighted past instances where Boeing aircraft failures were initially blamed on pilots, only to be later disproven. “Prematurely suggesting pilot error without exhausting technical pathways risks repeating past mistakes,” the letter stated, calling for subject matter experts to join the probe. The federation emphasized that the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data should be reexamined for evidence of systemic issues, citing prior Boeing bulletins.

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While the AAIB report noted a 2018 FAA advisory on disengaged fuel switch locks, Air India did not conduct recommended inspections, as they were not mandatory. FIP’s push for a thorough investigation into technical causes aims to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies, as the aviation community awaits a final report expected within a year.

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