The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), which represents over 100,000 professional pilots worldwide, has strongly criticised the preliminary crash report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly Air India Flight AI-171 crash.
IFALPA voiced alarm at the “early release of selected information, particularly cockpit voice recordings, without a full investigative context,” warning that such an approach risks “misleading both the public and policymakers.” The organisation further stressed that this practice “undermines investigative integrity and casts unjust suspicion on crew members who can no longer speak for themselves.”
The preliminary 15-page AAIB report confirmed that both engines shut down moments after takeoff, following a shift of the fuel control switches from “RUN” to “CUTOFF.” However, it stopped short of clarifying whether the switch-off was mechanical, accidental, or deliberate.
Despite this uncertainty, IFALPA raised serious concerns over how the report was framed, especially in the absence of any identified mechanical fault or formal safety recommendations. “In the absence of clear mechanical explanations, the vacuum is being filled with speculation,” the federation said, cautioning against what it called “narrative framing.”
Support for Indian pilots’ unions
The global pilots’ body also extended support to Indian pilots' unions, including ALPA-India and the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA), who have separately condemned the AAIB's report and criticised its handling of the crash investigation.
IFALPA reiterated the importance of adhering to international standards outlined under ICAO’s Annex 13, which governs impartial and thorough accident investigations. “We urge all stakeholders, including media outlets and public officials, to allow investigators the time and space needed to reach factual, technical conclusions,” IFALPA said. “The rush to judgment benefits no one and disrespects the victims and their families.”
The final report on the crash is expected later this year.
Pilot Association in India calls report ‘laughable’
In a statement to CNN-News18, Sam Thomas, head of the Pilot Association in India, condemned the AAIB’s insinuation that the Flight AI-171 pilots deliberately cut off fuel to the engines.
“The report has led to more confusion than clarity. Using one line from the cockpit voice recorder to insinuate that the pilots cut out the fuel control switches is misleading,” Thomas said.
He explained that such an action is actually part of an established checklist followed during an emergency when both engines are lost. “When you put out such a report that says nothing definitive and insinuates something else, it becomes open to interpretation. A lot of people who have not even seen a picture of the airplane are commenting on it. Very irresponsible comments are being circulated regarding the pilot’s deliberate action to crash the plane, and it is making rounds in the western media,” he added.
Thomas also questioned the timing of the report’s release and criticised investigators for not pushing Boeing and engine manufacturer GE to carry out further tests on the aircraft’s systems.
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