**AAIB Unable to Include Pilots in Final Probe of AI 171 Crash Due to Legal Constraints**
NEW DELHI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has informed the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA INDIA) that including pilots in the ongoing final investigation of the AI 171 crash at Ahmedabad is not currently possible. According to the AAIB, the existing provisions of the AAIB Act do not allow for the involvement of pilots in such probes.
The tragic Boeing Dreamliner crash on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, has been under detailed scrutiny. While the preliminary report has been released, investigations are still underway to finalize the findings.
Several pilot organizations had expressed concerns over the preliminary report’s conclusion pointing to human error and requested that Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)—pilots with specialized expertise—be included in the investigation process for a more comprehensive analysis.
In response, AAIB Director General Yugandhar convened a meeting at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) office with the managing committee of ALPA INDIA—a Bengaluru-based association representing over 1,000 pilots both in India and abroad.
Capt Anil Rao, General Secretary of ALPA INDIA, told this publication that during the meeting, the Director General clarified the legal limitations: “He made it known to us that he could not include outside bodies that are not part of the Government of India, as per the AAIB Act. Moreover, this is an ongoing investigation.”
The AAIB has assured that efforts will be made to amend the Act in the future, enabling the official involvement of outside experts in investigations. However, Capt Rao emphasized that the ultimate decision to involve SMEs in a particular accident probe will rest with the lead investigator.
In an official statement released on Thursday, ALPA INDIA expressed optimism that its members would eventually be incorporated into the investigation process of the AI 171 crash, ensuring expert input in the final report.
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*Stay tuned for further updates on the AI 171 investigation.*
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Oct/04/no-provisions-pilots-cant-be-in-ai-ahmedabad-crash-probe-committee