“Don’t hang the hat on pilots alone.”
Aviation safety requires shared responsibility
Between the crew, the aircraft maker, and the truth.
VOIWORLD/ASTHA PANDEY
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA‐India) has raised strong objections to the
preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash, calling it one-sided and premature in
assigning blame to the cockpit crew.
ALPA India also noted AI-171 crew deserve respect, not unfounded character judgement
The association noted that the report was leaked without official signatures or
validation, casting doubt on both its legitimacy and intent.
The association further criticized the complete exclusion of operational pilots from the
investigation team’s serious lapse in a probe meant to understand real-time cockpit
decisions under pressure. Stating that a closed-door probe won’t open real answers
Calling the process “shrouded in secrecy,” ALPA‐India flagged gaps in technical clarity,
including whether the fuel valve actions were properly recorded or simply inferred.
They’ve formally sought observer status, full technical disclosure, and accountability
from Boeing. Legal steps are on the table to ensure a fair and transparent investigation.
Importantly, ALPA‐India stressed that Boeing cannot be let off the hook. They stated
that the preliminary report showed bias toward pilot error and insisted that a sound
probe must also scrutinize aircraft design and technical systems, including Boeing’s role
in cockpit ergonomics and fuel switch mechanisms.
“Accountability must be shared, while the crew followed procedure,
it is the aircraft design and systems that now demand equal scrutiny.”
Captain Sam Thomas (President of ALPA-India) stated that the fuel switch-off was a
deliberate, checklist-driven action based on standard training, it was not an error or
guesswork. He stressed it was a documented procedure followed during takeoff and
emergencies.
Aviation safety demands truth, not a rush to judgment, but a full, fair, and fearless probe.
