FIP Urges Boeing 787 Simulator Tests in AI171 Crash Probe

Addressing Technical Ambiguities in the AI171 Probe

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has formally requested that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) conduct controlled Boeing 787 simulator tests to verify critical technical data related to the Air India flight 171 crash. The disaster, which occurred on June 12, 2025, involved a Boeing 787-8 (registration VT-ANB) and resulted in 260 fatalities, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 individuals on the ground. As the investigation enters its second year, the FIP’s call for independent validation underscores growing concerns regarding the sequence of events leading to the aircraft's impact, which occurred precisely 32 seconds after takeoff.

The Nut Graf: A Conflict Over System Behavior

The core of the current debate centers on the AAIB preliminary report, which stated that both engine fuel control switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF with a 1-second time gap. This action triggered a dual engine shutdown. The FIP, alongside legal counsel representing over 130 victims' families, argues that this timeline fails to account for potential software anomalies or uncommanded electrical system behaviors. By pushing for simulator trials, the FIP aims to determine if the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment and subsequent fuel system changes were the result of pilot input or an underlying mechanical failure in the aircraft’s complex fly-by-wire architecture.

Investigating Systemic Interactions

According to the AAIB, the official investigation portal remains the primary source for the ongoing analysis. The FIP has urged investigators to integrate survivor accounts, cockpit warnings, Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messages, and Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data to construct a more accurate timeline. The union suggests that the investigation must examine whether the Ram Air Turbine deployment—which typically occurs during a total loss of power—interacted with the fuel system in a manner not currently captured by the preliminary analysis.

This push for transparency is bolstered by the Boeing 787 technical specifications, which detail the aircraft's reliance on integrated electrical and hydraulic systems. Industry experts note that the debate mirrors historical precedents, such as the British Airways Flight 38 incident in 2008, where fuel starvation led to a dual engine failure, highlighting the catastrophic risks of abrupt thrust loss in large twin-engine aircraft.

Stakeholder Impact and Compensation

The human and financial toll of the Ahmedabad aviation disaster remains significant. Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has pledged compensation of 1 crore Indian rupees (approximately $115,000) to the families of each victim. However, for the survivors and families, the delay in the final report has caused prolonged distress. The legal team representing the victims has already submitted correspondence to regulators suggesting that recent full-motion simulator tests contradict the timeline established in the initial report, creating a high-stakes standoff between the AAIB and external technical experts.

The Future of Cockpit Monitoring

The incident has accelerated the global debate surrounding cockpit safety technology. International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh has publicly advocated for the installation of video cameras in cockpits to capture pilot actions definitively, a move intended to resolve ambiguities that have plagued high-profile investigations. This trend reflects a broader industry shift toward monitoring the complex interactions between pilot actions and highly automated flight decks, as seen in the aftermath of the 2015 TransAsia Airways Flight 235 crash.

Expected Timeline for Final Findings

The AAIB is expected to release its final investigation report in late 2026. This document is intended to determine whether mechanical, electrical, or procedural factors were the primary drivers of the crash. The proposed simulator tests are viewed by labor groups as a necessary step to ensure that the final findings are not skewed by premature conclusions regarding pilot error, particularly given the complexity of the GEnx-1B engine management systems. The aviation industry continues to monitor these developments closely, as the findings will likely influence future airworthiness directives for the Boeing 787 fleet.