New Delhi: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPAI) has strongly criticized the preliminary report issued by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the AI 171 crash on June 12, raising serious concerns over the direction, transparency, and integrity of the ongoing investigation. In a sharp statement, ALPAI alleged that the “tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error.” The association categorically rejected what it called a premature presumption, emphasizing the need for “a fair, fact-based inquiry.” Further fueling controversy, the association pointed out that the report had been leaked to the media without any responsible official signature or attribution. “There is a lack of transparency in the investigation, as inquiries continue to be shrouded in secrecy, undermining credibility and public trust,” the statement said. ALPAI also criticized the exclusion of qualified and experienced personnel, especially line pilots, from the investigation team. “It is imperative that individuals with firsthand operational expertise are included to ensure an accurate and balanced assessment,” the body urged. The remarks come amid growing public and industry scrutiny over the AI 171 crash, which claimed multiple lives and has prompted calls for an independent and impartial investigation.
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