FIP’s letter, dispatched to the ministry on Tuesday, cites a "material discrepancy" between the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary findings and the federation’s own simulator tests.
The federation contends that while the AAIB report recorded hydraulic power from the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) becoming available roughly four seconds after a fuel system interruption, its commissioned simulator data shows a gap of approximately 18 seconds— a difference it deems too significant to dismiss.
In addition, FIP flagged inconsistencies in recorded V1 and VR takeoff timings, demanding that these gaps be reproduced and reconciled before the report’s finalisation. The federation’s request is framed as a neutral technical review, explicitly stating it seeks no influence on findings or blame attribution.
The federation also seeks a senior pilot’s seat on the review panel, unrestricted access to relevant sections of the draft report, and assurances that no conclusions regarding crew actions or human factors will be finalised without professional pilot input. It further requests an early personal hearing with the minister.
Families of the 260 victims have expressed deep grief, holding vigils in Ahmedabad and demanding transparency. The crash’s impact is felt not only in the loss of life but in the collective shock across India’s aviation community.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is set to decide on the committee’s composition and schedule, with the final report expected to be released once the independent review is complete.