AAIB Urged to Recognize Pilots as Key Stakeholder in AI-171 Probe

In a formal appeal, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to acknowledge the pilots’ community as a vital stakeholder in the AI‑171 accident inquiry. The appeal follows a Supreme Court order on July 28 that promised the government would factor pilot suggestions into the investigative process.

FIP’s letter to the AAIB seeks official recognition, inclusion of its technical submissions in the investigation record, and a review of each raised issue by the probe’s technical team. The union wants to discuss simulator configuration, testing methodology, flight‑data interpretation, crew workload, warning alerts, and training protocols.

President Capt. C.S. Radhava highlighted that the pilots are not requesting any confidential personal information that could compromise the investigation’s independence. Instead, they aim to ensure that all relevant operational and technical angles are examined before the final conclusions are drawn.

The request also specifies that a technical meeting should be arranged before September 15, given the expectation that the AAIB’s final report will be completed by the first week of October.