AAIB said it will push law to allow pilots in future probes: ALPA

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the inquiry into the June 12 crash of Air India Flight 171, on Friday declined a proposal by the pilots’ association to include external subject matter experts (SMEs) in the probe team, citing legislative “limitations” but assured that future amendments to the law could allow for external participation, the pilots’ body said.

- Snehashish Roy

On June 12, AFI7I carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing 229 passengers, all crew members, and 19 people on the ground. Several others sustained serious injuries. AAIB is leading the inquiry into the tragedy, with participation from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and Boeing representatives.

On Friday, representatives of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) India held a meeting with AAIB director general GVG Yugandhar in New Delhi. The meeting comes after the body sent a letter to the civil aviation minister to discuss ways of better representing pilots’ stand point and views during the course of the investigation.