Incomplete Air India Report Sparks Discussion on Credibility
The preliminary findings from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have confirmed that fuel supply to both engines was cut during the initial climb of Air India Flight 171 on July 14, 2025. However, the full and complete report, which is expected in 11 months, has left several critical questions unanswered, leading to concerns about transparency and the understanding of the accident's causes.
One of the most significant omissions in the preliminary report is the absence of the full Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcript. While the report provides limited cockpit conversation excerpts, it does not offer a detailed account of pilot discussions or precise actions during the critical moments of the accident. This omission has been criticised by experts and observers who emphasise that the lack of a complete CVR transcript impedes a clear understanding of the pilots' interactions, communication, and decision-making during the accident sequence.
The absence of the full CVR transcript can have several effects on understanding the accident. It limits investigators' ability to precisely reconstruct crew coordination, command sequences, and responses to rapidly unfolding events. It also hampers transparency and public confidence, as detailed cockpit communication is critical for uncovering possible human factors or procedural errors. Furthermore, it constrains technical analysis of pilot actions versus mechanical or system failures, leaving ambiguities about whether pilot inputs or automation caused the fatal engine fuel cutoff.
Another unanswered question concerns the role of the aircraft's Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system in the fuel cutoff. Experts have raised this possibility but it has not been addressed in the report.
The report also does not discuss whether weight inaccuracies, performance miscalculations, or improper configuration played a role in the extended takeoff. Additionally, the report does not attribute cockpit dialogue to either the captain or first officer, leaving it unclear who flipped the fuel control switches.
The timing of the report's release at 1am local time was informal and unusual, as government departments in India typically close by 5pm. The report also does not address the unusually long takeoff roll, which consumed a large portion of the runway before the aircraft became airborne.
However, the data shows a methodical relight sequence beginning around 08:08:52 UTC, suggesting the aircraft's systems were attempting to recover and stabilise flight.
In summary, the preliminary report has left several critical questions unanswered, raising concerns about transparency and the understanding of the accident's causes. The full report, due in 11 months, will be crucial in providing a comprehensive account of the accident and offering insights into the human factors contributing to the crash.
- The airline industry, particularly the aviation sector, is closely watching the escalating concerns about transparency and the understanding of the causes of Air India Flight 171's accident, as the preliminary report has left several questions unanswered.
- The finance sector, including prospective investors, is keeping a close eye on the ongoing accident investigation and the eventual release of the complete report, as the ambiguities surrounding the pilot's actions, aircraft's systems, and human factors could significantly impact future funding for the airline.
- In the realm of general news, experts and observers continue to question the absence of critical information in the preliminary report, such as the full Cockpit Voice Recorder transcript and the role of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control system, which could have implications for the transportation and aviation industry as a whole.
