Federation of Indian Pilots Calls for Transparency in Ahmedabad Plane Crash Investigation
The Federation of Indian Pilots demands transparency in the investigation of the Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad, urging inclusion in the review committee.
Ahmedabad, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has called for greater transparency in the investigation of the Air India flight AI-171 crash that occurred in Ahmedabad. Captain C.S. Randhawa, the president of FIP, emphasized the need for their inclusion in the committee reviewing the draft report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The tragic incident took place on June 12, 2025, shortly after the aircraft departed for London’s Gatwick Airport. It crashed into a medical hostel complex in the Meghani Nagar area, resulting in the deaths of nearly 260 individuals, including passengers, crew members, and people on the ground. Although an initial investigation report has been released, the final report is still pending.
Captain Randhawa expressed concerns that technical difficulties, particularly electrical issues, contributed to the crash, leading to a loss of fuel supply to the engine. He stated that FIP, along with advocate Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, has filed a case in the Supreme Court to ensure thorough investigation of these technical issues.
During a hearing on July 28, the Solicitor General acknowledged that the concerns raised by FIP would not be overlooked and that they would be consulted. However, Randhawa noted that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has yet to invite FIP to any meetings regarding the investigation.
Recently, it was reported that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed the AAIB to submit the draft report to a special committee for review before making it public. FIP has requested to be included in this committee, citing their extensive knowledge of the situation.
The ongoing investigation, which involves collaboration with Boeing, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is expected to yield a draft report in October, adhering to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and protocols.
