Human factor specialists roped in to probe into AI-171 crash: Centre tells Parliament

Human factor specialists, aviation doctors, flight recorder experts and B787-rated engineers have been brought on board to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in probing the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, the government informed Parliament.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, while responding to a detailed query in the Lok Sabha, said the investigation team includes a panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) drawn from various technical and human-centric fields to ensure a comprehensive and impartial probe. These experts include experienced Boeing 787 pilots, type-rated engineers, aviation medicine specialists, human factor analysts and flight recorder specialists.

The flight, operating from London to Ahmedabad, crashed on June 12, 2025, raising serious concerns over safety protocols, aircraft maintenance and crew performance. While the preliminary report was released on July 12, it refrained from drawing any conclusions and instead presented only factual information available at the time.

Responding to concerns raised by Congress MP K Sudhakaran about the transparency of the investigation and the possible premature attribution of pilot error, the Minister assured that the inquiry was being conducted under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and strictly in line with global standards laid down in ICAO Annex 13.

“All investigations are carried out in a fair, impartial and judicious manner,” Mohol said, adding that the final report is due by June 12, 2026.

On the question of whether Air India had complied with all safety checks, including the US Federal Aviation Administration's 2018 advisory on fuel control switch disengagement, the Minister said those details are part of the ongoing investigation and cannot be commented upon at this stage.

The government has also clarified that steps are being taken to expedite the final report, while interim safety measures for Boeing 787 operators and GE GEnx-1B engine manufacturers are under consideration.