Federation of Indian Pilots questioned the delayed interview of the lone survivor, the handling of black box analysis, and the involvement of independent aviation experts. It urged investigators to prioritise accuracy and transparency over timelines before releasing any final findings. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

A year after the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives, India’s pilots’ body has questioned the fairness and direction of the investigation, alleging that key evidence is not being followed and lapses in the probe are fueling speculation instead of closure. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday said critical questions surrounding the disaster remain unanswered, citing “investigative gaps” ranging from the delayed examination of the sole survivor to concerns over the handling of technical evidence.

Concerns over evidence handling and delayed survivor interview

According to FIP President Captain CS Randhawa, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the crash, was formally interviewed by investigators only about 10 months after the accident. The federation has also questioned whether all available technical evidence, including aircraft communication messages transmitted before departure, has been adequately examined and whether sufficient independent aviation experts have been involved in the probe.

“We are almost completing one year and there is still no conclusion. We have been unable to investigate a flight that crashed seconds after take-off. So much time and effort has gone into the probe, yet there is no finality. Investigators are expected to share a draft report 30-60 days before the final report, but till date no draft has been circulated,” Randhawa said during an interaction with mediapersons in Ahmedabad on Thursday. He also questioned the decision to send the aircraft’s two black boxes to the United States for analysis, alleging that it contradicted claims that India possessed the capability to decode and examine the flight recorders domestically.

“We have informed the ministry that this is not a fair investigation that is happening and time and again things are being done in an inappropriate manner, which is leading to speculation and investigations are not proceeding as per the evidence given,” the FIP president said, adding that the probe into the Air India flight from Ahmedabad that crashed en route to London had killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 people on the ground, while 67 others were seriously injured and one passenger survived. He further said that Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) officials will meet the families of those killed in the crash on Friday.

Questions raised over technical findings

The pilots’ body has also alleged that ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) messages transmitted by the aircraft shortly before departure have not been adequately addressed in the preliminary findings. According to Randhawa, several messages were sent approximately 15 minutes before take-off, but there was no mention in the preliminary report. Another concern flagged by the federation concerns the composition of the investigation team. Randhawa alleged that the inquiry has not sufficiently relied on independent subject-matter experts, despite the technical complexity of the crash, and questioned the presence of officials from the aviation regulator on the investigation board.

FIP has also questioned what it describes as the premature exclusion of possible technical and maintenance-related factors. The federation argues that the preliminary report appeared to rule out the role of Boeing, engine maker GE, aerospace supplier Honeywell and Air India before the investigation had fully progressed.

FIP seeks deeper probe into aircraft systems

The pilots’ body further maintains that the Boeing 787 aircraft type has witnessed several electrical-system-related incidents globally over the years, including issues involving batteries, deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), and water ingress into electronic compartments, which it believes warrant deeper examination.

Randhawa also cautioned against releasing any interim findings before investigators reach a definitive conclusion. “An interim report at this stage will only add to confusion and fuel further speculation,” he said, adding that the Federation of Indian Pilots has urged both the government and the AIIB to refrain from issuing a partial report. “If investigators need more time to establish the facts, the final report can be delayed. Accuracy is more important than meeting a timeline,” he said.

The federation said it has written more than 20 letters to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Civil Aviation Ministry over the past year and has recently begun marking its representations to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Published on June 11, 2026