Pilots' body asks DGCA for representation in AI-171 tragedy probe

After protesting the preliminary report of the AI-171 crash, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India) has met the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and raised the issue of lack of independent pilot representation in safety investigation.

- HT Correpsondent

The pilot body in the meeting on Monday requested the aviation regulator to grant them “at least an observer status” in AAIB investigation, citing global norms of pilot association involvement.

While the preliminary report, released on Saturday, did not make any immediate recommendation to Boeing or engine maker GE, it stated that the fuel control switches were in the “CUT OFF” position, hinting at possible human error though it did not mention a cause for the crash that claimed 260 lives.