India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has called for restraint from the public and international media as it investigates the recent Air India crash which authorities have described as one of the most devastating aviation incidents in recent years.
Last month, an Air India Boeing 787 crashed at Ahmedabad killing 270 people. Initial findings by AAIB said that the fuel switches were cut off seconds after taking off. The report also mentioned that there was confusion among the two pilots about who cut off the fuel switch.
The appeal from AAIB boss GVG Yugandhar came following a report in The Wall Street Journal that a cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month indicates the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines leading to the accident. The report also said that US officials feel that criminal authorities should review the matter.
The AAIB said in a statement on Thursday that it is conducting a “rigorous and most professional” probe in line with Indian and international standards. The bureau has investigated 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents since its establishment in 2012.
While acknowledging the significant public interest and shock generated by the incident, the AAIB cautioned against “creating public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts.
“It has come to our attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting,” the AAIB said, urging the public and media to avoid spreading premature narratives that could undermine the integrity of the investigation.
The agency emphasized that its preliminary report is focused on explaining “what happened,” but warned that it is "too early to reach any definite conclusions," and that the investigation remains ongoing. A final report, including causes and recommendations, will be issued at a later date.
AAIB has called on all stakeholders to await the publication of the final investigation report. Updates will be provided as and when there is information of technical and public interest.
The bureau’s preliminary report has faced criticism from airline officials and experts saying that it selectively gave a single sentence from the cockpit voice recorder which has provided suspicion of pilot suicide while giving no other details. It also said that it has no instructions for the manufacturer of the plane and engine Boeing and GE.
The report also references a 2018 FAA advisory that warned of possible disengagement of the fuel switch-locking mechanism in another aircraft type. As the advisory was not linked to an unsafe condition, Air India did not inspect its fleet. However, Air India replaced the integrated throttle and fuel control module in its Boeing 787 jets in both 2019 and 2023, which included replacement of the fuel switches. It also said that it has no instructions for the manufacturer of the plane and engine Boeing and GE.
“The report, as released, lacks comprehensive data and appears to rely selectively on paraphrased cockpit voice recordings to suggest pilot error and question the professional competence and integrity of the flight crew,” Federation of Indian pilots said. “This approach is neither objective nor complete,” it said.
Last month, an Air India Boeing 787 crashed at Ahmedabad killing 270 people. Initial findings by AAIB said that the fuel switches were cut off seconds after taking off. The report also mentioned that there was confusion among the two pilots about who cut off the fuel switch.
The appeal from AAIB boss GVG Yugandhar came following a report in The Wall Street Journal that a cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month indicates the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines leading to the accident. The report also said that US officials feel that criminal authorities should review the matter.
The AAIB said in a statement on Thursday that it is conducting a “rigorous and most professional” probe in line with Indian and international standards. The bureau has investigated 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents since its establishment in 2012.
While acknowledging the significant public interest and shock generated by the incident, the AAIB cautioned against “creating public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts.
“It has come to our attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting,” the AAIB said, urging the public and media to avoid spreading premature narratives that could undermine the integrity of the investigation.
The agency emphasized that its preliminary report is focused on explaining “what happened,” but warned that it is "too early to reach any definite conclusions," and that the investigation remains ongoing. A final report, including causes and recommendations, will be issued at a later date.
AAIB has called on all stakeholders to await the publication of the final investigation report. Updates will be provided as and when there is information of technical and public interest.
The bureau’s preliminary report has faced criticism from airline officials and experts saying that it selectively gave a single sentence from the cockpit voice recorder which has provided suspicion of pilot suicide while giving no other details. It also said that it has no instructions for the manufacturer of the plane and engine Boeing and GE.
The report also references a 2018 FAA advisory that warned of possible disengagement of the fuel switch-locking mechanism in another aircraft type. As the advisory was not linked to an unsafe condition, Air India did not inspect its fleet. However, Air India replaced the integrated throttle and fuel control module in its Boeing 787 jets in both 2019 and 2023, which included replacement of the fuel switches. It also said that it has no instructions for the manufacturer of the plane and engine Boeing and GE.
“The report, as released, lacks comprehensive data and appears to rely selectively on paraphrased cockpit voice recordings to suggest pilot error and question the professional competence and integrity of the flight crew,” Federation of Indian pilots said. “This approach is neither objective nor complete,” it said.
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