Air India Flight 171 Crash: Pilots’ Body Rejects ‘Suicide Theory’, Points To Possible Electrical Failure
The debate surrounding the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 has intensified after the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) strongly rejected suggestions that pilot actions may have caused the disaster, arguing instead that a major electrical malfunction could have been responsible.
Speaking at a press conference, CS Randhawa, president of the FIP, challenged reports suggesting that one of the pilots deliberately cut off fuel to the aircraft’s engines.
Simulator Tests Challenge Official Theory
According to the pilots’ body, simulator tests conducted under conditions similar to the actual flight showed that a manual fuel cutoff would take approximately 18 seconds to affect the aircraft’s backup turbine system.
FIP argues that this timeline does not match claims that the backup power turbine dropped within four seconds, making the alleged “pilot suicide” scenario technically improbable.
The organization believes that a significant electrical failure or system malfunction may have occurred first, triggering a chain of events that affected engine controls and critical aircraft systems.
Survivor’s Account Raises Questions
The pilots’ body also cited the testimony of the sole survivor of the crash, who reportedly recalled seeing cabin lights flicker moments before the aircraft went down.
According to FIP, this observation could indicate a serious electrical problem on board shortly before the accident.
Concerns Over Previous Aircraft Issues
FIP further alleged that the aircraft involved in the crash had a history of unresolved electrical issues before the ill-fated flight.
The organization claims it recreated the flight conditions in a simulator using the aircraft’s weight and prevailing weather conditions and says the results support the possibility of a technical failure rather than deliberate pilot action.
The pilots’ body has reportedly submitted its findings to both Boeing and government authorities and has urged investigators to reconsider conclusions before issuing a final report.
Demand For Expert Participation
FIP also alleged that Captain Sandhu, a Boeing 787 expert, was sidelined from parts of the investigation process.
The organization has called for his reinstatement, arguing that experienced technical expertise is essential to ensure a fair and transparent investigation.
Background Of The Tragedy
Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12 while operating a service to London Gatwick.
The disaster claimed the lives of 229 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft also crashed into a medical college hostel, resulting in additional casualties on the ground. Only one passenger survived the accident.
A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) later revealed cockpit audio in which one pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” while the other reportedly replied, “I didn’t.”
That exchange fueled speculation about possible pilot error, though investigators have not released any final conclusions regarding the cause of the crash.
Investigation Continues
It is important to note that the final cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash has not yet been officially determined. Investigations remain ongoing, and aviation authorities are expected to examine all technical, operational, and human factors before releasing a final report.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
