The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has alleged that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) omitted critical electrical malfunction data in its interim report on the June 2025 Air India Flight 171 crash. The pilots' body is calling for simulator-based reconstruction, arguing that current findings regarding emergency system deployment contradict their technical analysis. This dispute highlights concerns over the accuracy of the investigation into the accident.
What Happened
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has challenged the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) concerning the crash of Air India Flight 171, which occurred on June 12, 2025. The pilot body alleges that the report failed to include essential cockpit warning data, which may have pointed to an electrical malfunction before the loss of engine power. FIP argues that these indicators, which should be present in the cockpit voice recorder, were missing from the official document.
Discrepancies in Emergency Systems
A primary point of contention is the performance of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power system designed to maintain essential functions during a total power loss. The preliminary AAIB report suggests the system became operational roughly four seconds after fuel was cut. However, FIP commissioned ten independent simulator exercises on a Boeing 787 platform, which indicated that the system requires approximately 18 seconds to deploy and restore hydraulic pressure. This significant time difference suggests that the crew may have had less time to react to the emergency than the official report implies.
Concerns Over Flight Data Recorder
Beyond the simulation data, FIP has raised questions regarding the condition of the aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR). While the tail section of the aircraft was recovered relatively intact, the recorder itself reportedly sustained major damage. Given that the FDR operates on electrical power, the pilots' group contends that the device requires a more detailed technical examination to ensure that electrical failures did not corrupt or obscure the data recovered from the unit.
Why The Investigation Matters
The airline industry places significant weight on accident investigation reports to refine safety protocols and training standards. Because the flight crew involved in the accident cannot provide a first-hand account, FIP emphasizes that the investigation must rely on objective data and rigorous reconstruction. The request for simulator-based validation is aimed at ensuring the final findings are supported by technical evidence that accounts for all potential variables, including electrical system behavior.
What To Watch Next
The FIP has formally requested government intervention to mandate that the AAIB conduct simulator-based reconstruction exercises before finalizing its report. For the aviation sector and stakeholders, the key monitorable is how regulators respond to these technical challenges. A disagreement between pilot unions and official investigators often draws increased scrutiny toward aviation safety standards, training procedures, and regulatory oversight. Investors in the broader Indian aviation sector may monitor whether this dispute leads to changes in safety protocols or increased operational oversight for airlines.