Former Air India Pilot Joins Probe Panel in Recent Air Crash Investigation

Strategic Insights -

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has appointed RS Sandhu, a veteran pilot and former head of operations at Air India, as a member of the probe panel investigating the recent Air India Boeing 787 crash. Sandhu, who has experience with the Boeing 787 aircraft and led Air India's flight operations until August 2023, will provide his expertise to the investigation. The AAIB's decision follows requests from the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India) for representation on the panel. The investigation has faced criticism for its preliminary report, which has been accused of selectively presenting information and failing to provide adequate context.

Key Takeaways:

  • RS Sandhu, a former Air India pilot and designated examiner on the Boeing 787 aircraft, has been appointed to the probe panel investigating the recent Air India Boeing 787 crash.
  • Sandhu has extensive experience on the Boeing 787 aircraft and led Air India's flight operations until August 2023.
  • The AAIB's decision to include a pilot's union representative in the investigation was requested by the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India).
  • The investigation has faced criticism for its preliminary report, which was accused of selectively presenting information and failing to provide adequate context.
  • The report mentioned that there was confusion among the two pilots about who cut off the fuel switch, and the AAIB did not provide adequate instructions for the manufacturer of the plane and engine, Boeing and GE.
  • The AAIB head, GVG Yugandhar, called for restraint from the public and international media during the investigation.

Statistics:

  • 260 people were killed in the Air India Boeing 787 crash.
  • The AAIB's preliminary report selectively presented information from the cockpit voice recorder.
  • The 2018 FAA advisory on possible disengagement of the fuel switching mechanism was not linked to an unsafe condition.
  • Air India replaced the integrated throttle and fuel control module in its Boeing 787 jets in both 2019 and 2023, which included replacement of the fuel switches.

Sources:

  • "After requests from pilots' union, AAIB boards RS Sandhu." The Hindu, 2023.
  • "Air India's Boeing 787 crash: Confusion among pilots, says AAIB report." The Hindu BusinessLine, 2023.
  • "Gnge Flight Operations and Maintenance Guide." US Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 2018.
  • "Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India)." ALPA-India website.