Pilots’ body urges AAIB to probe Boeing 787 electrical systems in Air India AI-171 case

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has appealed to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the Boeing 787's electrical and avionics architecture as part of the ongoing probe into the fatal Air India Flight AI-171 crash. The latest request comes less than a month before the crash's final investigation report, which is expected in October.Pilots’ Body Raises Questions Over Simulator Timeline DataIn a letter sent to the Director General of the AAIB on September 18, the pilots' association called for closer scrutiny of external technical data and raised critical questions regarding discrepancies in flight simulator timelines. A central focus of the representation concerned thr technical evidence derived from Boeing 787 simulator testing conducted by legal representatives of the victims' families. According to the FIP, these tests revealed a noticeable divergence between the official preliminary timeline and observed aircraft behavior.The simulator results, which were earlier published by The Free Press Journal, suggested that the interval between fuel interruption and the availability of hydraulic power generated by the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) does not match the initial official account. The FIP noted that if the recorded RAT power generation timestamps are accurate, the emergency deployment of the RAT may have occurred before the dual fuel switches transitioned to the "CUTOFF" position.Boeing 787’s Electrical Architecture Under Focus"Establishing the accuracy of these timings is essential not only for determining the precise sequence of events in the AI-171 crash but also for ensuring that any resulting safety recommendations are based upon a technically robust and scientifically validated understanding of the accident," the letter, written by FPI president Capt CS Randhawa, stated. The association requested that the AAIB conduct or supervise formal simulator validation exercises to reconcile these differences.The letter emphasised that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner operates on a "More Electric Aircraft" architecture, replacing traditional pneumatic and hydraulic systems with electrically driven components linked through digital networks.Given this high level of system integration, the FIP argued that transient electrical disturbances, voltage fluctuations, data-bus anomalies, power interruptions or battery short-circuits could cause widespread system interaction issues. The pilots' body referenced its earlier technical notes, which proposed a potential electrical reverse-voltage pathway – triggered by a battery short circuit – as a potential cause for the dual fuel switches moving to "CUTOFF".Indian Airlines Show Recovery In International Traffic In July As Passengers Cross 25 Lakh Mark For The First Time Post West Asia CrisisRequest For Review Of Maintenance Records And Aircraft DataTo determine whether recurring faults were present, The FIP has requested a full review of the accident aircraft’s historical maintenance logs, including technical logs, maintenance records and deferred defects under the Minimum Equipment List. It also asked for scrutiny of the Aircraft Health Monitoring records and ACARS message chronologies, along with the system performance data.The representation acknowledged that technical documentation regarding VT-ANB's operational history submitted by the Foundation for Aviation Safety (FAS) was forwarded to the AAIB via a UK AAIB expert on June 10. The FIP urged the investigation team to systematically evaluate and either validate or rule out this material through documented technical analysis.While reaffirming that it is not advancing a predetermined conclusion regarding the cause of the disaster, the FIP urged the AAIB to issue interim safety recommendations if any systemic vulnerabilities or operational risks are uncovered prior to the final report.

Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked the probe agency AAIB to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of electrical system evidence related to Boeing 787 planes during its investigation into the Air India aircraft crash that killed 260 people in June last year.The pilots' body, in its letter dated September 18, also said that a "detailed and comprehensive" examination of all electrical and electronically controlled systems should form an important component of the ongoing investigation, given the concerns previously raised regarding electrical system reliability and the central role played by electrical architecture in the B787 design philosophy.Also Read: Air India flight from Delhi to Kathmandu diverted back after reporting "technical issues"The letter comes in the wake of the US-based Foundation of Aviation Safety reportedly questioning India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on why it has not issued interim safety recommendations for the B787 fleet despite "holding evidence of chronic system failure" on the aircraft involved in the crash in Ahmedabad in June last year.Air India's Boeing 787-8, or Dreamliner, with registration VT-ANB, en route to London Gatwick, crashed soon after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 241 people onboard and 19 on the ground.A lone passenger survived, while all 12 crew members died in the AI171 accident that happened during the initial climb.Also Read: Delhi Airport’s third runway returns after 7-month revampAmong the passengers who died were citizens from India, the UK, Portugal and Canada.VT-ANB aircraft was operating flight AI171.According to FIP, the Boeing 787 plane's advanced electrical architecture warrants particularly careful scrutiny of all available technical evidence relating to electrical generation, power distribution, avionics integration, data-network performance, software functionality and system reliability.The grouping has suggested AAIB to conduct a "comprehensive evaluation of Boeing 787 electrical system evidence, consideration of technical data submitted by the Foundation for Aviation Safety and issuance of appropriate safety recommendations in the AI171 accident investigation".Last month, FAS sent a letter to AAIB regarding the probe into the AI171 crash and mentioned "hundreds of official non-public documents about the VT-ANB aircraft" that were provided to it through the UK AAIB."These documents explicitly detail chronic, systemic aircraft failures involving the aeroplane's electrical, electronic, and/or flight computer systems," FAS said, adding that the data was relevant to determining the potential of the AI171 crash.Manufactured in 2013, the VT-ANB aircraft, powered by GE engines, had flown 41,868 hours and its Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) was valid till May 23, 2026.In its interim statement on the AI171 crash probe, AAIB on June 12 said significant progress has been made and that the final report will be released upon completion of all investigative activities, requisite international review and consultation processes.Without providing specific details about the probe status or findings so far, AAIB had also said the investigation team has undertaken an extensive and rigorous examination of all relevant technical, operational, organisational and human factors associated with the accident over the last year.