ALPA-India Seeks Observer Status in AI 171 Crash Probe, Meets Government Officials

The Airline Pilot’s Association (ALPA)-India, a not-for-profit organisation advocating for pilots’ welfare, held its first meeting with the government’s air accidents investigation bodies on Friday, October 3, 2025, seeking observer status in the ongoing probe of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash that claimed 260 lives.

ALPA president Captain Sam Thomas met with G.V.G. Yugandhar, Director General of the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and Faiz Kidwai, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Following the meeting, Captain Thomas stated that while nothing about AI 171 was discussed, the association was assured of quarterly meetings with the authorities.

The AAIB clarified that the Act under which it operates does not allow non-governmental organisations to participate directly in accident investigations.

ALPA’s Concerns

ALPA has expressed strong reservations over the interim probe report on the Boeing 787 crash, alleging a bias toward pilot error after the report highlighted the shifting of fuel switches to the ‘cut off’ position. The association criticised the investigation as “shrouded in secrecy”, arguing that it undermines credibility and public trust, and has demanded observer status to ensure transparency and accountability.

Reactions from Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s Family

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot of AI 171, strongly condemned the preliminary report for suggesting that his son deliberately turned off the plane’s fuel control switches shortly after takeoff. He claimed the report relied on selective and speculative interpretations of the cockpit voice recorder and demanded a fresh investigation.

Judicial Oversight

The issue has also drawn the attention of the Supreme Court, which, last month, in response to a PIL filed by aviation safety expert Captain Amit Singh, sought a response from the Centre and the DGCA on “ensuring a fair, impartial, and expeditious investigation by an expert body.” The Court, however, refused to order disclosure of the entire investigation record, emphasising that confidentiality must be maintained until the probe concludes.

ALPA’s push for observer status reflects growing calls from aviation experts and pilot associations for greater transparency in the investigation of one of India’s deadliest air disasters.