AI171 crash investigators did not give much importance to lone survivor's statement: Pilots body

Business To Business, Mumbai, 12^th June, 2026:    C. S. Randhawa, president of the **Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), on Friday alleged that investigators did not attach sufficient importance to the statement of the lone survivor of Air India Flight 171 crash, particularly regarding reports of "flickering lights" inside the aircraft before the crash.
Speaking to the media, Randhawa said the survivor's observation could have been a significant clue in examining the possibility of an electrical system failure.
According to him, the reported flickering of lights may have provided investigators with an important lead while assessing the sequence of events that led to the accident.
Randhawa also claimed that the FIP had repeatedly raised concerns and suggestions regarding the investigation over the past year with:

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

• The investigation remains ongoing.
• The final report will be released after completion of all investigative activities.
• International review and consultation processes will be carried out before publication of the final findings.