Aviation experts question AI-171 crash probe, say ‘no pilot would fiddle with switches during takeoff’

‘No pilot would fiddle with switches during takeoff’: Martin Consulting CEO

A day after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the Air India AI-171 crash, aviation experts and pilots’ groups have questioned the direction and tone of the probe, especially the suggestion of pilot error.

The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The aircraft, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, was headed for London’s Gatwick Airport.

‘No pilot would fiddle with switches during takeoff’: Martin Consulting CEO

Aviation safety expert and Martin Consulting CEO Mark D Martin issued a strong statement to ANI on Saturday, urging that "no stone should be left unturned" in the investigation and called for the probe to be expanded to include global regulators like ICAO, EASA, CAA Canada, and others.

“It is highly unlikely that any pilot, especially during takeoff, would want to meddle or fiddle around with switches behind the thrust levels. At best, you'd focus on raising the landing gear... or raise the flaps,” Martin told ANI.

He described the incident as 'a complex crash' and said it would require coordination among AAIB, NTSB, DGCA, EASA, Boeing, and the UKCAA.

“It is imperative that this investigation also be taken into the global quorum... so that safety oversight regulators across the world understand what happened to this Dreamliner,” he added.

AAIB’s preliminary report: Dual engine shutdown triggered crash

According to the preliminary findings, the aircraft lost thrust after both engines were shut off mid-air. Data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) showed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from RUN to CUTOFF, one after the other, within a second, shortly after the aircraft reached an airspeed of 180 knots.

The cockpit voice recorder picked up an exchange:

“Why did you cut off?” one pilot asked.

“I did not,” the other replied.

The aircraft began to descend rapidly. At 08:08:52 UTC, the pilot attempted to restart Engine 1, followed by Engine 2 at 08:08:56. But it was too late.

At 08:09:05, a Mayday call was sent to Air Traffic Control, but there was no further communication. Seconds later, the plane crashed outside the airport boundary, triggering an emergency response.

Pilots’ union alleges bias, demands fair probe

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) also issued a statement on Saturday, questioning the transparency of the investigation and pushing back against the implication of pilot error.

“There is lack of transparency in investigation as investigations continue to be shrouded in secrecy, undermining credibility and public trust,” the association said.

“Qualified, experienced personnel, especially line pilots, are still not being included in the investigation team.”

ALPA also criticised the leaking of the preliminary report to the media, saying it came without any official signature or attribution.