Indian Pilots' Federation Seeks Thorough Investigation into Air India Ahmedabad Crash Incident

Air India Crash Investigation: Pilot Group Raises Questions About Electrical Failure

A new development has emerged in the investigation into the deadly Air India crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), a group with over 5,000 members, has submitted a letter to the aviation ministry suggesting that electrical failure, rather than pilot action, could have been the cause of the crash.

The submission comes ahead of the expected final report into the crash, which is due to be released next month, within a year of the disaster. The preliminary report published by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12, one month after the crash, pointed to a possible case of pilot error, citing the fuel supply to the jet's engines being cut off moments before impact.

However, the FIP letter, dated May 1, presents an alternative theory, suggesting that a "prelift-off electrical disturbance" could have caused an "unintended relay operation" and resulted in the dual engine fuel cut-off without pilot input. The letter argues that this theory requires further investigation and that technical causes cannot be ruled out until detailed electrical analysis is conducted.

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The FIP's submission is in line with international law, which requires all credible technical causes to be ruled out before any conclusions are drawn. The final report is expected to provide a comprehensive account of the crash and its causes, and will be closely watched by the aviation industry and the public.