New Delhi, July 12, 2025 (ANI): On Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's Preliminary Report on 12th June AI 171 crash, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President Captain Sam Thomas said, "Firstly, we are surprised that the statement was released in the middle of the night at around 1:30 am. It carries nobody's signature. Nobody is responsible for that. It's a very irresponsible way of putting out such an important report. We've always maintained that you should have some transparency. The personnel involved in the investigation should be specialists, pilots and engineers. There should be other facets of subject matter, with experts coming in to contribute. You have put out something that is more confusing than when it started off. It indicates that the pilot is at fault... People are even saying it's a deliberate act of sabotage, suicide. This is irresponsible. This would lead to further speculations among the public..."
00:00We are surprised that the statement was released in the middle of the night.
00:04It's a very irresponsible way of putting out such an important report.
00:09It clearly indicates that the pilot is at fault without telling that the pilot is at fault.
00:14This is what we were saying is irresponsible and this would lead to further speculations among the public.
00:22As the preliminary report of AI-171 is out, ALPA India has also given a statement on that.
00:34What is that statement first of all and what is your initial understanding of the report that you can share with us?
00:41Yeah, good evening.
00:42Firstly, we are surprised that the statement was released in the middle of the night at around 1.30 and it carries nobody's signature.
00:52Nobody is responsible for that and it's a very irresponsible way of putting out such an important report.
00:59We've always maintained that you should have some kind of transparency and the personnel involved in this investigation should be specialists.
01:10They should be pilots, they should be engineers, there should be other facets of subject matter experts who should come in and contribute or should be invited to contribute.
01:21Now you have put out something which is more confusing than when it started off and it clearly indicates that the pilot is at fault without telling that the pilot is at fault.
01:32And the entire media has taken it up so much so that people are even saying it's a deliberate act of sabotage slash, you know, suicide.
01:46This is what we were saying is irresponsible and this would lead to further speculations among the public.
01:54Okay, so also, you have also been a pilot in the past.
02:02What in your expertise you can think of could be the cause of both engine fuel cutoff switches to move from run to cutoff within just one second?
02:12Could it be mechanical defect, electrical defect or software malfunction?
02:16How do you want to put it?
02:18See, first let's assume without data, when we speak without the DFDR data, it is again Amar Chitra Katha, okay?
02:29We are all telling stories.
02:31Now, if the start switch, that is the fuel control switches have gone from run to cutoff and then back to run,
02:39that means the pilot is following a checklist of dual engine failure.
02:45It says cutoff, put it back again so that the engine electronic control swaps and there's a good chance of the engine starting back again.
02:55As the report mentions, one of the engines have begun to start up.
02:58Now, that's as a part of the checklist.
03:00Now, if you just put that the pilot, it says the fuel control switch is transitioned from run to cutoff.
03:11What do you mean by transition?
03:12It fell on its own or did the pilot do it?
03:14Why don't you write that there?
03:15Because everything is very clear in the DFDR.
03:19If you touch it and such an airplane, even if you touch it, you will know whose hand has touched where.
03:24So, instead of putting that, you have put an ambiguous statement which says that it went off in one state.
03:32There are several scenarios in which it could happen.
03:35Now, people are confusing the fuel control switches with the fuel shutoff valves.
03:41So, these are very, very technical terms.
03:45You cannot have somebody who is just walking down the lane, coming on media and talking.
03:51That is what happens with the Indian media and that's what we are objecting to.
03:55A lot of experts who know nothing are coming and saying everything on the channel from bird hit.
04:03It started off with bird hit.
04:05Where are the bird now?
04:07It started off with the flaps not in position.
04:09What happened with that?
04:11It started off with the pilot taking the flap up instead of gear up.
04:16So, where are all those people now?
04:18Now, they have come back with a different story.
04:20That now could be the pilot has cut off the fuel control switches.
04:27So, we need to step back and tell, first make this.
04:32This is the problem if you have secrecy around it.
04:35What is so secretive for the aircraft investigation board head to have CISF security?
04:43So, if he is so scared, let him go home and sit.
04:46And he is not from a flying background.
04:50He is from the engineering background.
04:52So, and he is from the air force.
04:54What does he know about civilian aircraft?
04:56This is what we are in.
04:58We want a judicial inquiry.
04:59Now, we are convinced we want a judicial inquiry into this whole matter so that we can also keep our points across.
05:07Well, sir, center has also given a statement on the crash report and they are saying that don't jump to conclusions based on pilots' conversation.
05:17How do you see the remark?
05:19Is that a very scientific remark?
05:22We were telling you right from the beginning without, you know, the complete data, you cannot speak.
05:28Which pilot spoke to whom?
05:30Do you even know that?
05:31Everybody is assuming that Sumit spoke to Clive or Clive spoke to Sumit.
05:36Without knowing the entire scenario in which they were speaking and what they were speaking, ministers will give statements.
05:47They are very good.
05:48First, also, they said some sabotage is being looked into.
05:51So, we don't expect anything intelligent from their side, but then they have to do their job.
05:56So, they are doing it.
05:56That we don't even take cognizance of.
05:58Lastly, sir, is there any action that Alpa India is thinking of going forward or like you just said, mentioned that judicial inquiry is what you are demanding, the association is demanding.
06:13So, what is the way forward for the association now in the particular case?
06:20Yeah, our legal cell has to get back to us.
06:22We are mulling a public interest litigation or going to the Supreme Court to say that this, what we feel as industry veterans, we feel that a fraud is being perpetuated like every other crash investigation.
