FIP Demands Review of Boeing 787 Electrical System in Air India Accident Probe
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has called for a thorough review of the Boeing 787 electrical system in connection with the investigation into Air India flight AI-171's accident. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 last year, resulting in 260 fatalities.
The FIP emphasized that any inquiry should be independent, objective, evidence-based, and technically rigorous. In a letter dated September 18, the organization highlighted the importance of examining all available evidence on the aircraft's operational history and technical condition.
The Boeing 787 is one of the most electrically dependent commercial aircraft ever produced, with many systems traditionally powered by pneumatic or hydraulic means replaced by electrically driven systems. The FIP noted that recurring technical faults, intermittent failures, and other issues could shed light on potential system vulnerabilities and how they might have contributed to the accident.
The organization urged a review of historical maintenance and reliability data, including aircraft technical log entries, maintenance records, deferred defects, and service difficulty reports. They also requested a detailed examination of electrical and electronic system performance, including power generation systems, main and standby power distribution systems, and Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA).