The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has challenged key conclusions of the preliminary investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash, saying simulator-based tests indicate inconsistencies in the theory that the aircraft went down after deliberate fuel cut-off to both engines.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, FIP president Captain C S Randhawa said the association conducted 10 controlled trials on an EASA-certified Boeing 787 simulator, replicating the aircraft’s weight, balance and operational conditions on the day of the crash. He said the results do not align with the timeline presented in the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report.
According to the AAIB findings, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—an emergency system that deploys during critical power loss—activated within seconds after fuel supply to both engines was cut off. However, Randhawa claimed the simulator data suggests a manual fuel shut-off would require around 18 seconds before RAT deployment and restoration of hydraulic power, contradicting the four-second interval cited in the probe.
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“If our tests are correct, then the timeline mentioned in the preliminary report does not add up,” Randhawa said, adding that the federation’s results indicate a significant mismatch in the sequence of events described by investigators.
The FIP suggested that the rapid RAT deployment could instead point to a major electrical malfunction preceding engine failure, triggering a cascading loss of power. It also cited accounts from the lone survivor, who reportedly described flickering cabin lights moments before the aircraft began descending, which the body said is consistent with sudden electrical failure rather than deliberate fuel cut-off.
The pilots’ body further alleged that the aircraft had a prior history of electrical issues, and questioned whether these were fully examined in the investigation. It also raised concerns that experienced Boeing 787 pilot Captain R S Sandhu was not involved in key stages of the probe.
Without accusing investigators of wrongdoing, the federation called for broader technical scrutiny and urged that alternative scenarios be examined with equal rigour. It stressed that conclusions affecting the reputations of deceased pilots must be supported by verifiable and transparent evidence.
The FIP has shared its simulator findings with Boeing and Indian aviation authorities and has called for a review of discrepancies before the final report is published.
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