The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-India) has raised serious concerns over the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash that occurred on June 12, killing 260 people. The pilots' union has not only criticized the tone of the initial report — which it claims appears biased against the cockpit crew — but is also now considering legal action to ensure pilot representation in the investigation process.
Key Points:
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ALPA-India, which represents over 800 pilots across airlines and helicopter operators in India and is affiliated with IFALPA (International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations), said the AAIB’s preliminary report lacks transparency and appears to prematurely attribute pilot error as a likely cause.
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ALPA-India president Sam Thomas questioned the legitimacy of the report, noting it lacked any official signature and that requests to include pilot representatives in the investigation panel were ignored.
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ALPA argues that its members have the domain expertise necessary to contribute meaningfully, particularly in understanding cockpit dynamics, pilot behavior, and technical operations.
The Controversial Report:
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The 15-page AAIB report, released on Saturday, cited cockpit voice recorder data showing that fuel switches to the engines were cut off within a second of takeoff, causing chaos and eventual crash of Flight AI 171.
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It stated that one pilot questioned the switch being cut off, to which the other replied he had not done it — suggesting possible confusion or inadvertent action.
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This finding has fueled speculation and public commentary implying pilot culpability, something ALPA-India is strongly opposing.
ALPA-India’s Position:
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The association has accused the investigation of presuming pilot guilt, and criticized the secrecy and lack of engagement with qualified external experts, especially experienced pilots.
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They are also alarmed that the report seems to lack input from psychological or operational pilot specialists, despite the AAIB claiming to have involved aviation psychologists and flight recorder experts.
IFALPA’s Involvement:
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Last month, IFALPA had offered technical assistance, including the deployment of global best practices and investigative personnel. However, there's been no indication that AAIB accepted the offer.
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ALPA-India is expected to meet with DGCA officials on Monday to press for greater transparency, access, and participation in the investigation.
Broader Context:
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This is the first-ever hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making it a landmark case globally.
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The incident has triggered discussions on cockpit procedures, training protocols, aircraft automation, and pilot workload.
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ALPA-India’s threat of legal action signals increasing friction between regulatory bodies and pilot unions, especially when blame narratives emerge before investigations are complete.
What Happens Next:
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Legal action, if pursued by ALPA-India, could delay or influence the direction of the final AAIB report.
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The call for inclusion of independent pilot representatives and international oversight may lead to external reviews or even intervention by global aviation safety bodies.
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The DGCA’s response and how seriously it takes pilot concerns could reshape future crash investigation frameworks in India.
This case underscores the delicate balance between swift accident investigation, public accountability, and fair representation of all stakeholders — especially pilots, who are often the last line of defense and, at times, the first to be scrutinized.
