Latest news with #ICAOAnnex13
Time of India
18-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
ALPA India asks AAIB to include its representatives as observers in AI plane crash probe
Pilots' association ALPA India on Friday called for including its representatives as observers in the ongoing probe into the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people last month, and welcomed the AAIB 's appeal asking everyone to refrain from speculations. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday said it is too early to draw any "definite conclusions" on what led to the Air India plane crash as the probe is still on and that the final report will come out with the root causes, while it urged everyone to refrain from spreading premature narratives. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Design Thinking Artificial Intelligence Finance Data Science Digital Marketing Cybersecurity MCA Leadership MBA Management Data Science Others others Degree CXO Public Policy Product Management PGDM Data Analytics healthcare Healthcare Technology Project Management Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details The comments came against the backdrop of reports suggesting that pilot error led to the crash of the Air India plane that killed 260 people on June 12. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, enroute from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed soon after takeoff. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) has been requesting authorities to include it in the investigation. In keeping with the global best practices and ICAO Annex 13, ALPA India on Friday said pilot associations can be permitted to assist in investigations as technical advisers. Live Events "These paragraphs allow the state conducting the investigation to include advisers nominated by accredited representatives, provided they possess suitable qualifications. In many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, pilot unions and associations routinely participate in this capacity. "ALPA India once again renews its request to be included as an observer in the ongoing investigation of VT-ANB, to contribute professionally and help strengthen the safety framework of Indian aviation," it said in a statement. The association also thanked AAIB for addressing public concerns and making a much-needed appeal to the media and public to refrain from speculation, premature conclusions, or unverified narratives while the investigation is ongoing. ALPA India emphasised that such accidents must be investigated with utmost diligence, transparency and impartiality. It is a member of the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association (IFALPA). AAIB, on Thursday, appealed to all concerned to await publication of the final investigation report and said this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian aviation industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts.
News18
15-07-2025
- General
- News18
Selective Leaks, Missing Context: Global Pilots' Body Flags Gaps In Air India Crash Probe Report
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations said releasing selective cockpit audio without full analysis can encourage what it termed 'narrative framing' The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), representing over 1,00,000 professional pilots worldwide, has issued a sharp critique of the preliminary crash report on the ill-fated Air India Flight 171, calling it incomplete, speculative, and lacking critical context. In a formal statement, IFALPA said the report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) 'raises more questions than it answers", particularly in its depiction of the cockpit sequence that preceded the June 12 crash. The federation warned against the premature assignment of blame, stating that key facts and technical details are still missing. 'The early release of selected information—particularly cockpit voice recordings—without a full investigative context risks misleading both the public and policymakers," the federation said. 'This approach not only undermines investigative integrity, it also casts unjust suspicion on crew members who can no longer speak for themselves." The 15-page preliminary report confirms that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost power shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, following an abrupt shift of the fuel control switches from 'RUN" to 'CUTOFF". However, it does not conclude whether the action was mechanical, accidental, or deliberate. IFALPA's primary concern lies in how the report presents these findings. The global pilots' body noted that no definitive mechanical faults were identified and no safety recommendations were made—a significant omission in their view, especially given the public speculation that has followed. 'In the absence of clear mechanical explanations, the vacuum is being filled with speculation," IFALPA warned. 'Investigations must remain focused on facts, not insinuation." The pilots' group also voiced support for Indian pilot unions, including ALPA-India and the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA), who have separately condemned the handling of the investigation and demanded transparency, including observer status for pilot representatives. Call for Transparency and Patience IFALPA called on the AAIB and Indian aviation authorities to adhere strictly to international standards under ICAO Annex 13, which outlines procedures for impartial accident investigation and stakeholder participation. The federation said this includes protecting sensitive data until it can be responsibly interpreted within the final report. 'We urge all stakeholders—including media outlets and public officials—to allow investigators the time and space needed to reach factual, technical conclusions. The rush to judgment benefits no one and disrespects the victims and their families." As the investigation continues, IFALPA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a professional and evidence-driven process, and to defending the integrity of pilots against premature criticism. The final report on the AI171 crash is expected later this year. The Pilot Association in India has also condemned the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) for suggesting that the pilots of Flight AI-171 were responsible for cutting off the fuel to the engine. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Sam Thomas, head of the Pilot Association in India, called the report 'laughable" and questioned the timing of the report's release, the reasons for not asking GE and Boeing to carry out further checks on the engine and aircraft, the partial release of the cockpit conversation transcript, and the lack of a timestamp on when the cut-off switch was first activated. He added: 'The report has led to more confusion than clarity. Using one line from the cockpit voice recorder to insinuate that the pilots cut out the fuel control switches is misleading. This action is actually part of a checklist if you lose both engines. When you put out such a report that says nothing definitive and insinuates something else, it becomes open to interpretation. A lot of people who have not even seen a picture of the airplane are commenting on it. Very irresponsible comments are being circulated, regarding the pilot's deliberate action to crash the plane, and it is making rounds in the western media." view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
30-06-2025
- Science
- Mint
What happens after the black box has been found?
Mumbai: The black box is a crucial tool in aviation investigations and is central to determining the cause of the recent Air India Dreamliner crash. Mint breaks down what it is, how it works and what's next. What is a black box? A black box is a small machine that records all information about an aircraft during its flight. It helps investigators understand and investigate an aeroplane mishap. Despite the name, the black box is bright orange to aid in recovery efforts. In the Air India crash, the Boeing Dreamliner had two such devices, one installed in the tail and the other in the nose. General Electric (GE) manufactured the combined flight data and cockpit voice recorder, which is called an 'enhanced airborne flight recorder". What is the origin of the black box? Australian scientist Dr. David Warren invented the black box in the 1950s. They are built to withstand crashes, are resistant to fire and are able to withstand deep-sea pressure. It can withstand up to 3,400G force (or an impact equivalent to 3,400 times the force of gravity), temperatures of 2000°F (1100°C) and underwater pressure at 20,000 feet for 30 days. They also have backup batteries to keep recording even if the aircraft's main power supply fails. It has been used in commercial aircraft operations since the 1960s, as these devices became mandatory globally for accident investigations and analysis. What does a black box record? The black box comprises a flight data recorder (FDR) and a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). The FDR records up to 1,000 parameters, including altitude, speed, engine performance, fuel status, hydraulic and electric system data and more, covering the last 25 hours of a flight. The cockpit voice recorder records the final two hours of the cockpit environment, including pilot conversations and radio communication with air traffic control. It also emits a locator signal for 30 days. How is the data retrieved? Following the 12 June Air India crash, one of the black boxes was recovered from the rooftop of a building at the crash site on 13 June, and the other from the debris on 16 June. The aviation devices were then taken to Delhi on 24 June, for analysis by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). As per international aviation rules (ICAO Annex 13), representatives from the aircraft and engine manufacturers, the black box maker, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) must be present as observers during the data download process, said Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a former airline instructor. What's next? So far, a team led by AAIB director general G.V.G. Yugandhar, along with experts from AAIB and the US NTSB, has begun extracting data from the black box. They safely retrieved the Crash Protection Module (CPM) from the front black box, which holds the actual data. The memory was accessed and data was successfully downloaded at the AAIB lab. Analysis of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder is now in progress. They are expected to submit a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash. However, the jury is still out on whether any details behind the reasons leading to the crash will be revealed and the wait may be prolonged.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
The length and breadth of plane crash investigations
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is India's primary agency for investigating aviation accidents, established in 2012 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. AAIB operates independently from regulators to ensure objective findings, following international standards set by ICAO Annex 13.
