Air India to Hold Pilot Sessions Following Preliminary Report on AI171 Ahmedabad Crash

In the wake of one of the #deadliestaviationdisasters in recent Indian history, #AirIndia has announced plans to engage directly with its pilot community through dedicated briefing sessions.

These upcoming sessions will review and discuss the preliminary investigation report issued by the #AircraftAccidentInvestigationBureau (AIIB) regarding the tragic crash of #FlightAI171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from #AhmedabadAirport on June 12.

The 15-page preliminary report, released early on Saturday, provides a disturbing early insight into what led to the catastrophe that claimed 261 lives—241 of the 242 people onboard, and 19 individuals on the ground, after the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel. This has been dubbed the worst Indian aviation disaster in over a decade.

The AIIB report’s most startling revelation is that both engines of the aircraft lost fuel supply almost simultaneously, with the fuel-control switches moving from “run” to “cutoff” within just one second. This led to a complete loss of engine thrust shortly after takeoff, causing the plane to plummet back to the ground in a matter of seconds.

#ManishUppal, Air India’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, addressed the findings in an official communication to the airline’s pilots. “This tragedy has deeply impacted not only the aviation sector at large but specifically the #AirIndiaPilotCommunity. The preliminary report, though not final, gives us crucial early insights. This is only the beginning of understanding what happened and how we can prevent a recurrence,” he stated.

Uppal emphasized the professional resilience of pilots, saying, “We are trained to handle pressure, to make quick decisions when it matters most. Now, we must do the same—to reflect, to learn, and to rebuild. We will be organizing a dedicated review session in the coming days, where we can collectively examine the findings of the report.”

The report, compiled with assistance from international agencies including the #UKAirAccidentInvestigationBranch and the #USNationalTransportationSafetyBoard, includes voice recordings from the cockpit. In a chilling exchange, one pilot is heard asking the other why he shut off the fuel. The other reportedly denied taking such an action, adding to the mystery and concern surrounding the incident.

Aviation professionals and technical experts have raised critical questions about this element of the report. They pointed out that fuel-control switches are designed with a safety gate mechanism, making it highly improbable for them to be accidentally moved to the cutoff position.

Adding to the growing scrutiny, the #AirlinesPilotsAssociationofIndia voiced strong concerns, calling the investigation process “shrouded in secrecy” and potentially biased against the pilot crew. The association also criticized the apparent haste with which conclusions have been drawn, urging for greater transparency and more comprehensive analysis before assigning blame.

The crash of Flight AI171 has not only left a devastating impact on the families of the victims but has also sent shockwaves through the global aviation community. As investigators continue their work and stakeholders demand greater clarity, Air India’s move to involve its pilots directly in reviewing the report may prove critical in promoting accountability and learning from this harrowing event.

The airline’s response underscores a commitment to safety, self-assessment, and team learning, even in the face of tragedy. With the final investigation report still awaited, #aviationsafety, #pilottraining, and #systemaccountability remain at the center of both public interest and professional debate.