The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), flagging discrepancies in the preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash. Highlighting that the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) may not be linked to the fuel interruption and raising doubts on the timeline, the FIP has called for fresh simulator tests to verify the sequence of events. This comes as the AAIB on Friday (Jun 12) released an interim report on one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country, marking its one-year anniversary. The crash claimed the lives of 260 people on board and on the ground, leaving just one surviving passenger.<h2>What did the FIP say?</h2>The pilots’ body raised concerns about whether Boeing 787 simulator results align with the timeline outlined in the AAIB’s preliminary findings, which stated that the aircraft’s emergency RAT was deployed after the fuel control switch movement. The FIB suggested that the RAT deployment may have occurred due to an electrical fault or other existing issue, adding that it may have deployed before the fuel switch movement.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-rat-and-how-does-it-work-the-emergency-system-at-the-centre-air-india-crash-probe-wion-decodes-1781515875010">What is RAT and how does it work? The emergency system at the centre Air India crash probe | WION Decodes</a>The FIP also cited flight simulator data indicating that the RAT typically begins generating power roughly 18 seconds after a fuel interruption. On this basis, it argued that the RAT deployment might not be directly linked to fuel switch movement.“While the report indicates RAT power generation approximately 4-5 seconds after fuel interruption, simulator testing reportedly indicates approximately 18 seconds. The letter therefore suggests that RAT deployment may have occurred before fuel control switch movement and may indicate an earlier system or electrical fault requiring further investigation,” the letter read.Referring to CCTV footage from Ahmedabad airport, the letter noted that the RAT appeared to already be deployed while the aircraft was still on the runway before rotation. This, it said, further strengthens the possibility of an earlier system anomaly rather than a fuel-control-triggered event.The letter additionally highlighted a series of events leading up to the crash, including a loud explosion-like sound, a noticeable dimming of cabin lights, and multiple ACARS maintenance messages sent before takeoff. It suggested that these elements, along with damage patterns seen in the aft flight recorder imagery, should be analysed together to reconstruct a clear and consistent timeline and to assess whether an electrical failure played a role.The association urged the investigating agency to independently verify the acceleration data in the preliminary report and to closely examine the relationship between RAT deployment, hydraulic power generation, and fuel control switch movement. The FIP recommended that these aspects be fully addressed in the final investigation report.WATCH | IAF Jet Crash: IAF Orders A Court Of Inquiry To Ascertain Cause Of Crash <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iaf-jet-crash-iaf-orders-a-court-of-inquiry-to-ascertain-cause-of-crash-1781367113826/embed/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iaf-jet-crash-iaf-orders-a-court-of-inquiry-to-ascertain-cause-of-crash-1781367113826/embed/embed</a>&nbsp;

FIP has flagged inconsistencies in the Air India AI171 crash report, questioning RAT activation timing and fuel-switch link, citing simulator data, CCTV footage, and urging a deeper AAIB investigation.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), flagging discrepancies in the preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash. Highlighting that the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) may not be linked to the fuel interruption and raising doubts on the timeline, the FIP has called for fresh simulator tests to verify the sequence of events. This comes as the AAIB on Friday (Jun 12) released an interim report on one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country, marking its one-year anniversary. The crash claimed the lives of 260 people on board and on the ground, leaving just one surviving passenger. What did the FIP say? The pilots’ body raised concerns about whether Boeing 787 simulator results align with the timeline outlined in the AAIB’s preliminary findings, which stated that the aircraft’s emergency RAT was deployed after the fuel control switch movement. The FIB suggested that the RAT deployment may have occurred due to an electrical fault or other existing issue, adding that it may have deployed before the fuel switch movement. Also read | What is RAT and how does it work? The emergency system at the centre Air India crash probe | WION Decodes The FIP also cited flight simulator data indicating that the RAT typically begins generating power roughly 18 seconds after a fuel interruption. On this basis, it argued that the RAT deployment might not be directly linked to fuel switch movement. “While the report indicates RAT power generation approximately 4-5 seconds after fuel interruption, simulator testing reportedly indicates approximately 18 seconds. The letter therefore suggests that RAT deployment may have occurred before fuel control switch movement and may indicate an earlier system or electrical fault requiring further investigation,” the letter read. Referring to CCTV footage from Ahmedabad airport, the letter noted that the RAT appeared to already be deployed while the aircraft was still on the runway before rotation. This, it said, further strengthens the possibility of an earlier system anomaly rather than a fuel-control-triggered event. The letter additionally highlighted a series of events leading up to the crash, including a loud explosion-like sound, a noticeable dimming of cabin lights, and multiple ACARS maintenance messages sent before takeoff. It suggested that these elements, along with damage patterns seen in the aft flight recorder imagery, should be analysed together to reconstruct a clear and consistent timeline and to assess whether an electrical failure played a role. The association urged the investigating agency to independently verify the acceleration data in the preliminary report and to closely examine the relationship between RAT deployment, hydraulic power generation, and fuel control switch movement. The FIP recommended that these aspects be fully addressed in the final investigation report. WATCH | IAF Jet Crash: IAF Orders A Court Of Inquiry To Ascertain Cause Of Crash https://www.wionews.com/videos/iaf-jet-crash-iaf-orders-a-court-of-inquiry-to-ascertain-cause-of-crash-1781367113826/embed/embed

FIP has flagged inconsistencies in the Air India AI171 crash report, questioning RAT activation timing and fuel-switch link, citing simulator data, CCTV footage, and urging a deeper AAIB investigation.

Pilots’ body flags gaps in Air India crash report, calls for fresh probe to verify timeline, RAT deployment

MUMBAI: In aviation, silence is rare. Every flight leaves behind a trail of data, decisions, and signals. Yet after the Air India Flight AI171 crash in June last year in Ahmedabad, what lingered wasn’t just wreckage—it was uncertainty.&nbsp;For months, fragments of information have surfaced. A preliminary report offered early clues. Experts speculated. But the full story—the one grounded in evidence, not assumption—has remained out of reach.&nbsp;Now, as investigators move toward releasing the final report, that silence is about to be broken. And when it is, it won’t just answer what went wrong. It will reveal how a modern aircraft, guided by layers of technology and human expertise, could still fall into failure—and what must change to ensure it never happens again.&nbsp;When the Air India Flight AI171 crash shocked the country, the immediate questions were simple: What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? Nearly a year later, investigators are preparing to answer those questions in full. The final report—expected around June 2026—won’t just document a tragedy. It will decode it.&nbsp;<h2>A Reconstruction Down to the Second</h2>Modern aircraft are flying data centres, and investigators use that to their advantage. By analysing the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), the report will rebuild the flight moment by moment.&nbsp;From the instant the aircraft began its takeoff roll to the final seconds, every control input, every system response, and every cockpit conversation will be mapped.&nbsp;This timeline often becomes the backbone of the investigation—a precise narrative that shows not just what happened, but when and how quickly things unravelled.&nbsp;<h2>The Machine: Did Something Fail?</h2>No crash investigation is complete without a deep dive into the aircraft itself. Engine performance, flight control systems, onboard computers, and maintenance records will all come under scrutiny.&nbsp;Investigators will look for:Hidden mechanical faults Software anomalies Maintenance oversights If a single component triggered a cascade of failures, the report will identify it. If not, it will explain how multiple small issues may have combined into something catastrophic.&nbsp;<h2>The Human Element</h2>Aviation accidents are rarely just about machines. The final report will examine the actions and decisions of the flight crew—without turning it into a blame game.&nbsp;Instead, it will focus on human factors:Were the pilots receiving confusing or conflicting signals? Did time pressure limit their options? Were procedures adequate for the situation they faced? By analysing cockpit communication and training records, investigators aim to understand how humans interact with the aircraft under stress.&nbsp;<h2>The Environment Around the Flight</h2>Beyond the cockpit, the report will consider external influences:Weather conditions at the time of takeoff Runway and airport environment Instructions from air traffic control Even seemingly minor factors—like wind patterns or visibility—can play a decisive role when combined with other issues.&nbsp;<h2>The Core Answer: Probable Cause</h2>At the heart of the report lies its most anticipated section: the probable cause.&nbsp;Guided by standards from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, investigators won’t point fingers. Instead, they will outline a chain of events—primary causes and contributing factors—that together explain the crash.&nbsp;In modern aviation, disasters are almost never the result of a single failure. They are systems breaking down in sequence.<h2>Turning Tragedy Into Change</h2>If the report answers why the crash happened, its recommendations will answer what happens next.&nbsp;These safety recommendations often have global impact:Changes in pilot training programs Updates to aircraft systems or software New regulatory guidelines for airlines and manufacturers Past investigations have led to sweeping reforms across the aviation industry. This one could be no different.&nbsp;<h2>The Evidence Behind the Conclusions</h2>To support its findings, the report will include extensive technical material:Data visualizations from flight recorders Wreckage analysis and impact studies Simulations recreating the event These details ensure the conclusions are not just persuasive—but scientifically grounded.&nbsp;<h2>What the Report Will Not Do</h2>Despite its depth, the report has clear limits:It will not assign legal blame or liability t will not determine compensation It will avoid sensationalism, focusing strictly on safety Its purpose is not judgment—but prevention.<h2> Why This Report Matters</h2>For families, it represents closure. For the aviation industry, it is a blueprint for safer skies. For the public, it is a rare look into how complex systems fail—and how they can be improved.

Now, as investigators move toward releasing the final report, that silence is about to be broken.  It will reveal how a modern aircraft, guided by layers of technology and human expertise, could still fall into failure—and what must change to ensure it never happens again.

MUMBAI: In aviation, silence is rare. Every flight leaves behind a trail of data, decisions, and signals. Yet after the Air India Flight AI171 crash in June last year in Ahmedabad, what lingered wasn’t just wreckage—it was uncertainty. For months, fragments of information have surfaced. A preliminary report offered early clues. Experts speculated. But the full story—the one grounded in evidence, not assumption—has remained out of reach. Now, as investigators move toward releasing the final report, that silence is about to be broken. And when it is, it won’t just answer what went wrong. It will reveal how a modern aircraft, guided by layers of technology and human expertise, could still fall into failure—and what must change to ensure it never happens again. When the Air India Flight AI171 crash shocked the country, the immediate questions were simple: What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? Nearly a year later, investigators are preparing to answer those questions in full. The final report—expected around June 2026—won’t just document a tragedy. It will decode it. A Reconstruction Down to the Second Modern aircraft are flying data centres, and investigators use that to their advantage. By analysing the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), the report will rebuild the flight moment by moment. From the instant the aircraft began its takeoff roll to the final seconds, every control input, every system response, and every cockpit conversation will be mapped. This timeline often becomes the backbone of the investigation—a precise narrative that shows not just what happened, but when and how quickly things unravelled. The Machine: Did Something Fail? No crash investigation is complete without a deep dive into the aircraft itself. Engine performance, flight control systems, onboard computers, and maintenance records will all come under scrutiny. Investigators will look for: Hidden mechanical faults Software anomalies Maintenance oversights If a single component triggered a cascade of failures, the report will identify it. If not, it will explain how multiple small issues may have combined into something catastrophic. The Human Element Aviation accidents are rarely just about machines. The final report will examine the actions and decisions of the flight crew—without turning it into a blame game. Instead, it will focus on human factors: Were the pilots receiving confusing or conflicting signals? Did time pressure limit their options? Were procedures adequate for the situation they faced? By analysing cockpit communication and training records, investigators aim to understand how humans interact with the aircraft under stress. The Environment Around the Flight Beyond the cockpit, the report will consider external influences: Weather conditions at the time of takeoff Runway and airport environment Instructions from air traffic control Even seemingly minor factors—like wind patterns or visibility—can play a decisive role when combined with other issues. The Core Answer: Probable Cause At the heart of the report lies its most anticipated section: the probable cause. Guided by standards from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, investigators won’t point fingers. Instead, they will outline a chain of events—primary causes and contributing factors—that together explain the crash. In modern aviation, disasters are almost never the result of a single failure. They are systems breaking down in sequence. Turning Tragedy Into Change If the report answers why the crash happened, its recommendations will answer what happens next. These safety recommendations often have global impact: Changes in pilot training programs Updates to aircraft systems or software New regulatory guidelines for airlines and manufacturers Past investigations have led to sweeping reforms across the aviation industry. This one could be no different. The Evidence Behind the Conclusions To support its findings, the report will include extensive technical material: Data visualizations from flight recorders Wreckage analysis and impact studies Simulations recreating the event These details ensure the conclusions are not just persuasive—but scientifically grounded. What the Report Will Not Do Despite its depth, the report has clear limits: It will not assign legal blame or liability t will not determine compensation It will avoid sensationalism, focusing strictly on safety Its purpose is not judgment—but prevention. Why This Report Matters For families, it represents closure. For the aviation industry, it is a blueprint for safer skies. For the public, it is a rare look into how complex systems fail—and how they can be improved.

Now, as investigators move toward releasing the final report, that silence is about to be broken. &nbsp;It will reveal how a modern aircraft, guided by layers of technology and human expertise, could still fall into failure—and what must change to ensure it never happens again.

Air India plane crash: The final report everyone is waiting for

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Pilots’ body flags gaps in Air India crash report, calls for fresh probe to verify timeline, RAT deployment

Air India plane crash: The final report everyone is waiting for