Air India to Engage Pilots in Review of Preliminary Ahmedabad Crash Report
Air India announced on Saturday that it will actively involve its pilot community in reviewing the preliminary investigation report of the tragic Ahmedabad crash involving flight AI171. The airline plans to conduct dedicated sessions in the coming days to discuss the findings of the report, which was released earlier by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The 15-page preliminary report sheds light on the sequence of events leading up to the fatal crash on June 12. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad airport and almost immediately began losing thrust. According to the AAIB, the aircraft experienced a sudden and simultaneous cut-off in fuel supply to both engines within a second of each other. This dual failure led to confusion in the cockpit and left the crew with virtually no time to react, resulting in the aircraft crashing into a nearby medical college hostel shortly after takeoff.
The crash claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 19 others on the ground, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in India in over a decade. Only one passenger from the flight is reported to have survived. Investigators believe that the nature and timing of the dual engine failure are highly unusual and have raised serious concerns about aircraft systems and operational protocols.
In its statement, Air India expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated its commitment to full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The airline emphasized the importance of engaging its pilot corps to ensure that any operational or technical learnings from the preliminary report are fully understood and addressed.
“Safety is our utmost priority,” the airline stated. “We will work closely with regulatory authorities, aircraft manufacturers, and our pilot community to ensure such incidents never happen again.”
As the investigation progresses, aviation authorities are expected to issue further recommendations. Meanwhile, Air India’s initiative to involve pilots in the review process signals a proactive approach to safety and accountability in the wake of the disaster.
