Page 13 - Air India

AI171 crash probe must focus on possible fault in stabilizer: Expert

A veteran pilot and aviation consultant has suggested that investigators should also focus on a possible fault in flight AI171's stabilizer, which he believes could have created conditions for the plane's crash, albeit due to an unintended mistake by the pilot. Air India flight 171, which crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 on board and 19 on the ground, had arrived from Delhi before its onward journey to London Gatwick on June 12. The crew reported a fault with the stabilizer to engineers in Ahmedabad who fixed it, according to a preliminary report into the investigation released on July 12. Aviation expert Capt Ehsan Khalid told PTI that investigators should also check the flight data recorder for stabilizer inputs data, in case it was not fixed properly and created conditions for the crash during the takeoff roll of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The stabilizer is part of the aircraft's tail and helps in pitching up and down its nose on command from the ...

AI-171 crew deserve respect, not unfounded character judgement: ALPA India

Pilots' grouping ALPA-India on Thursday said the crew of the crashed AI 171 flight made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements. The Air Line Pilots' Association - India (ALPA India) has been demanding a transparent probe into the crash that killed 260 people on June 12. Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft enroute from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed into a building soon after take off and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) came out with its preliminary report into the accident on July 12. "Pilots are trained professionals who carry the responsibility of hundreds of lives with dedication and dignity. "The crew of AI 171 made every possible effort -- till their very last breath -- to protect the passengers on board and minimize harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgments," ALPA India said in a statement. While the preliminary report does not give any conclus

Pilots' grouping flags concerns over AAIB initial report on AI plane crash

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday asked the government to reassess possible technical misinterpretation or mechanical faults in Air India's Boeing 787-8 plane that crashed last month and sought inclusion of subject matter experts in the probe. Flagging concerns about Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report into the crash that killed 260 people on June 12, the federation said the report failed to sufficiently consider or acknowledge two plausible and previously documented technical scenarios, either of which could have triggered an automated shutdown of both engines. FIP has written a letter to the civil aviation ministry raising various concerns related to the crash probe and the preliminary report, according to a source. While appreciating the timely release of the preliminary findings, the federation also said the initial report appears to infer or suggest the possibility of pilot error, without presenting any conclusive evidence or ...

AI171 crash: Boeing 787 had similar fuel switch issue in 2019, says expert

According to US aviation expert Mary Schiavo, a 2019 All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight in Japan experienced a similar issue, with the fuel switch transitioning on its own during final approach, without

Ahmedabad plane crash probe: New details shift focus to senior pilot

The first officer who was flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner asked the other captain, who was more experienced, why he moved the switches to the 'cutoff' position after it climbed off the runway

AAIB's Air India crash report offers more insight than expected: IATA

The airlines' body praised the Indian government and AAIB for releasing a detailed and timely preliminary report on the Air India crash, saying it provided more insight than expected

Air India finds 'no issues' with Boeing 787 fuel control switch locks

Following DGCA's inspection directive, Air India confirms no faults in fuel control switches on its Boeing 787s, with throttle modules replaced earlier as per schedule

Air India finds no issues with fuel switch locking in Boeing-787s: Official

Air India on Wednesday completed the inspection of the locking mechanism of fuel control switches in its Boeing 787 planes and did not find any issues, according to an airline official. On Monday, aviation watchdog DGCA directed airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes against the backdrop of AAIB's preliminary report stating that fuel switches were cut off before the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people last month. "Over the weekend, our Engineering team initiated precautionary inspections on the locking mechanism of Fuel Control Switch (FCS) on all our Boeing 787 aircraft. The inspections have been completed and no issues were found," the official said, quoting an internal message sent to Air India pilots. The official also said that all the Boeing 787-8 aircraft have undergone Throttle Control Module (TCM) replacement as per the Boeing maintenance schedule. FCS is part of this module. FCS regulate the flow of fuel into the ...

No immediate action needed from Boeing after AI171 crash report: IATA chief

IATA's William Walsh praises India's detailed preliminary report on AI171 crash, backs cockpit cameras and says Boeing need not act before final recommendations

Air India crash rekindles decades-old debate over cockpit video recorders

Advocates for cockpit video cameras say the footage could fill in gaps left by the audio and data recorders, while opponents say concerns about privacy

Air India to partially resume international flights from August 1

Air India plans partial resumption of international routes from August after AI171 crash, with full restoration of curtailed services targeted by October 1

Datanomics: Pilot error identified as top cause for air accidents

Between 2012 and 2025, the AAIB investigated 99 air accidents, 13 of which involved commercial airlines.

DGCA orders all airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing 737, 787 aircraft

A month after Air India crash, DGCA has asked all airlines to inspect Boeing 737 and 787 fuel switches for locking faults

South Korea to order fuel switch checks on Boeing jets after AI171 crash

A spokesperson for the South Korean transport ministry said the checks were in line with a 2018 advisory from the FAA, but did not give a timeline for inspections

Remain focused: Air India CEO to employees post AI171 crash prelim report

Asks employees not to be distracted by speculation and sensational headlines, and avoid forming conclusions based on the preliminary report

AI crash: Pilots' association slams 'reckless insinuation of pilot suicide'

Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation, especially of such a grave nature, is unacceptable and must be condemned, the ICPA said

Etihad advises Boeing 787 pilots to 'exercise caution' with fuel switches

Etihad Airways has directed pilots to handle Boeing 787 fuel switches with caution, following the US aviation safety regulator's reminder about its warning on unintentional switch lock disengagement

Air India crash: Group accident policies and InstaClaims bring quick relief

ICICI Lombard General Insurance reported receiving claims under travel and personal accident policies. These include accidental death, trip cancellations, baggage loss, and hotel booking cancellations

Dismay, unease among Air India pilots after preliminary crash report

They flag its 'vague' language and omission of key technical details

Air India plane crash: Understanding the role of fuel control switches

The Air India AI171 crash highlights the critical role of fuel control switches, which caused a dual-engine failure just after takeoff, leading to the tragic loss of 260 lives