✈️ AI Plane Crash: Pilots Raise Alarm Over Investigation Report—Was It Really Human Error?

By Tidbit Newsroom
Published: July 17, 2025
Category: Aviation / India / Safety / AI 171 Crash

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🔍 A Tragic Flight and a Deepening Mystery

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171 took off from Ahmedabad bound for London Gatwick—but never made it out of the city. Moments after liftoff, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft tragically plunged into a building, killing 260 people. The nation mourned. The aviation world went silent. But now, the investigation is raising more questions than answers.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) quickly released a preliminary report, but India's top pilots' body—the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP)—is not convinced. In a bold move, FIP has written to the Civil Aviation Ministry demanding a re-examination of the findings, urging the inclusion of subject matter experts in the probe.

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🧠 What’s the Controversy?

The AAIB’s early report hinted at possible pilot error, suggesting that fuel switches were cut off within one second of takeoff, leading to cockpit confusion and eventual engine shutdown.

But the FIP says: “Not so fast.”

They argue that the report ignores two well-documented technical failure scenarios that could have caused an automated shutdown of both engines—without any human input. These are:

• TCMA (Thrust Control Malfunction Accommodation)

• FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) misinterpretation

• Alongside EEC (Electronic Engine Controller) errors

They want these scenarios examined using Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data, as well as Boeing service bulletins.

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⚠️ Not the First Time for Boeing?

FIP’s letter to the ministry highlights a concerning trend: in past Boeing aircraft crashes, preliminary reports wrongly blamed pilots—sometimes even implying suicidal intent—only for later investigations to prove technical malfunctions were the real culprits.

FIP warns that rushing to blame pilots without full validation of technical pathways can result in misplaced blame, undermined safety learning, and a repeat of past investigative failures.

The Air India 171 tragedy sparks a debate—is it pilot error or system failure? Pilots demand deeper probe as 260 lives are lost.

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💬 Why Expert Voices Matter

This isn’t just about one crash—it’s about restoring trust in India’s aviation safety processes. FIP is pushing for:

• Independent technical experts on the investigation panel

• Transparent handling of engine software and automation

• Objective analysis of mechanical pathways, not assumptions

• Deeper inquiry into why both engines shut off simultaneously

Their message: when hundreds of lives are lost, every switch, every line of code, every split-second decision matters.

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✈️ About Flight AI 171

• Route: Ahmedabad → London Gatwick

• Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

• Fatalities: 260

• Crash Timing: Immediately after takeoff

• Key Event: Fuel switches allegedly cut off seconds into the flight

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🔍 What’s Next in the Investigation?

The Civil Aviation Ministry has yet to respond publicly to the FIP’s letter. However, with rising public scrutiny and pressure from aviation stakeholders, it’s likely that the final investigation will:

• Revisit the engine automation systems

• Involve external aviation safety analysts

• Compare the incident with similar global Boeing malfunctions

• Clarify whether the crew was overwhelmed or let down by their aircraft

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🧑‍✈️ A Pilot’s Reputation Is at Stake

Pilots undergo thousands of hours of training to handle emergencies, but when systems fail without warning, their options shrink drastically.

By calling out technical possibilities missed by the AAIB, the FIP isn’t just protecting pilots—they’re pushing for systemic accountability. After all, safety in the skies depends on trust not just in people, but in the machines and systems they operate.

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🛫 Final Thoughts

This crash is a tragic reminder of how high the stakes are in aviation. Whether the cause was human error, technical failure, or a combination of both, one thing is clear: the truth must be found—not guessed.

India’s aviation sector must rise to the moment with transparency, science, and compassion. The families of the 260 victims, the pilots’ community, and future travelers deserve nothing less.

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