News for 'Boeing Pilot'

Air India begins checks on fuel switches in Boeing 787 fleet

Air India begins checks on fuel switches in Boeing 787 fleet

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The senior official of Air India said that no adverse findings have been reported on the aircraft for which this re-inspection was completed, he said in the email sent to B787 pilots.

AI171 crash: Govt refutes media report blaming pilots

AI171 crash: Govt refutes media report blaming pilots

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol refutes a foreign media report regarding the Air India AI171 plane crash investigation, emphasizing that the probe is ongoing and trusting Indian agencies.

Fuel switch moves from 'run' to 'cut off', Air India grounds jet

Fuel switch moves from 'run' to 'cut off', Air India grounds jet

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Air India grounded a Boeing 787-8 after a pilot reported a potential fuel control switch defect. The incident occurs amidst an ongoing investigation into the airline's Dreamliner crash last June.

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Air India Dreamliner: 'Is This A New Defect?'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'We have been insisting that all Boeing 787 aircraft be grounded and checked for the electrical systems.'

Air India clears fuel switch checks on Dreamliner fleet

Air India clears fuel switch checks on Dreamliner fleet

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

In a statement, the airline said it has completed precautionary re-inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) across all operational Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet.

Air India fuel switch defect: DGCA says procedure not followed correctly

Air India fuel switch defect: DGCA says procedure not followed correctly

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which faced fuel control switch glitch, took off from London on February 1 after the crew carried out a physical check of the switch and that no abnormal parameters were observed during start of the engine or thereafter.

UK regulator seeks details on Air India fuel switch incident

UK regulator seeks details on Air India fuel switch incident

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority is investigating a fuel control switch issue on an Air India Boeing 787-8 at Heathrow Airport. The incident occurred before a flight to Bengaluru, prompting scrutiny from both UK and Indian aviation regulators.

Air India crash probe: 'Nothing has been ruled out'

Air India crash probe: 'Nothing has been ruled out'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team probing last year's fatal Air India plane crash is examining certain components of the aircraft and assessing various aspects, and 'nothing has been ruled out' in terms of the factors that could have led to the accident that killed 260 people, according to a source.

Pilot not blamed for Air India crash: Govt tells SC

Pilot not blamed for Air India crash: Govt tells SC

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the Air India pilot has not been blamed in the AAIB's preliminary report into the June 12 plane crash that claimed 260 lives. The court is hearing a plea for a parallel inquiry into the accident.

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday said no one blamed the chief pilot of the Air India Dreamliner for the June 12 crash, which claimed 260 lives, and asked his 91-year-old father not to carry any emotional burden.

Air India crash: Govt says all causes being probed

Air India crash: Govt says all causes being probed

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said all probable causes leading to the Air India plane crash in June last year are being investigated, and all efforts are being made to complete the probe in a time-bound manner.

AI 171 crash victims' families sue Boeing, blame fuel cutoff switch

AI 171 crash victims' families sue Boeing, blame fuel cutoff switch

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

The lawsuit has compensatory and punitive damages against the defendants for the wrongful deaths of four passengers on flight 171, US-based law firm The Lanier Law Firm said in a statement.

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

After 54 Years Humans Head To The Moon

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

For the first time, there will be an Indian connection to a crewed Moon mission.

Baramati crash revives memories of Ahmedabad AI 171 tragedy

Baramati crash revives memories of Ahmedabad AI 171 tragedy

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Residents of Ahmedabad recall the Air India crash of June 2025 after news of the Baramati plane crash involving Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The earlier tragedy, which killed hundreds, remains a painful memory for those who witnessed it and lost loved ones.

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, 608 days in space

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams retires after 27 years, completing three missions aboard the International Space Station and setting numerous spaceflight records. She is currently visiting India.

5500-strong pilots group seeks judicial probe into AI plane crash

5500-strong pilots group seeks judicial probe into AI plane crash

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the government to order a judicial probe into the Air India Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people, alleging that the ongoing investigation is "compromised" and should be halted.

Air India completes Boeing 787 fuel switch checks, finds no issues

Air India completes Boeing 787 fuel switch checks, finds no issues

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Air India completed inspections of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787 planes following a DGCA directive after a preliminary report on a recent crash. No issues were found.

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Was Homi Bhabha Murdered? The Mystery Behind His Death

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

60 years ago, on January 24, 1966, Dr Homi J Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, died in an air crash on Mont Blanc. The official inquiry said the plane went off course in bad weather, but coincidences, missing evidence, and later unproven claims have kept conspiracy theories alive. A fascinating excerpt from Bakhtiar Dadabhoy's book, Homi J Bhabha: A Life.

We Will Defer To AAIB: Boeing

We Will Defer To AAIB: Boeing

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Saturday said it continues to support the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash, hours after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the incident that occurred in Ahmedabad.

Bias toward pilot error: Pilots' association on AI crash report

Bias toward pilot error: Pilots' association on AI crash report

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

Airline Pilots' Association of India demands a fair and fact-based probe into the Air India plane crash, rejecting any bias towards pilot error in the investigation.

'Mental Health Is Not Unique To Pilots'

'Mental Health Is Not Unique To Pilots'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'AAIB preliminary report was more detailed than most people were expecting.'

DGCA orders inspection of Boeing 787, 737 fuel switch system

DGCA orders inspection of Boeing 787, 737 fuel switch system

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

The DGCA has asked airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes after a preliminary probe report into the Air India crash found that the switches were cut off before the accident.

Air India Finds No Fault In Boeing Fuel Switches

Air India Finds No Fault In Boeing Fuel Switches

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

'In the inspections, no issues were found with the said locking mechanism.'

AI Crash Report Raises More Questions: Pilots

AI Crash Report Raises More Questions: Pilots

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Pilot groups have accused the AAIB of portraying the pilots as responsible for the incident, with vague and selective presentation of cockpit conversations.

AI171 probe: Pilots' body flags possible tech faults

AI171 probe: Pilots' body flags possible tech faults

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked the government to reassess possible technical misinterpretation or mechanical faults in Air India's Boeing 787-8 plane that crashed last month and sought inclusion of subject matter experts in the probe.

'Too premature to blame pilots based on AAIB report'

'Too premature to blame pilots based on AAIB report'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

It will be too premature to draw conclusions on the role of pilots from the preliminary investigation report into the fatal crash of Air India plane last month and the final report will mention about the most probable cause for the accident, former Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) chief Aurobindo Handa said on Sunday.

'Pilots Fought Till The End'

'Pilots Fought Till The End'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

'This was textbook emergency response under stress.'

'Pilots deserve respect, not character judgements'

'Pilots deserve respect, not character judgements'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Pilots' grouping ALPA-India on Thursday said the crew of the crashed AI 171 flight made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements.

Air India expects to induct 26 new planes in 2026: CEO Campbell Wilson

Air India expects to induct 26 new planes in 2026: CEO Campbell Wilson

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

Air India Group expects to induct 26 wide-body and narrow-body planes, and operate 81 per cent of its international flights with upgraded aircraft by the end of 2026, while overall capacity will remain almost unchanged next year.

AI plane crash: How does fuel switch of Boeing 787 work?

AI plane crash: How does fuel switch of Boeing 787 work?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

The preliminary report on the Air India plane accident highlights potential confusion among pilots regarding fuel switches, which regulate fuel flow to the engines. The report suggests the switches were cut off and then switched on again shortly before the crash, raising questions about pilot actions and procedures.

AI crash: Pilot's father rejects suicide, mental health claims

AI crash: Pilot's father rejects suicide, mental health claims

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'It is most pertinent to note that in over 25 years of flying, Captain Sabharwal had not had a single incident or accident-causing fatalities or otherwise'

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

'The switch can't be shut off by an accidental brush of the hand, but needs effort, conscious physical action to operate it.' 'Was it the software of the aeroplane that caused the switch to turn off?' 'Was it the hardware of the aeroplane?' 'Was it both software and hardware put together?'

Fuel Cutoff, Pilot Confusion Before AI Plane Crash: AAIB Report

Fuel Cutoff, Pilot Confusion Before AI Plane Crash: AAIB Report

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

A preliminary investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad reveals that both fuel switches were cut off before the crash, followed by pilot confusion. The report also indicates that fuel samples were satisfactory and no immediate action is recommended for Boeing 787-8 operators.

AI crash: Blame before detailed probe premature, says pilots' body

AI crash: Blame before detailed probe premature, says pilots' body

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has expressed concerns over the preliminary investigation report on the Air India Boeing 787 plane crash, calling it premature and irresponsible to assign blame before a thorough investigation.

'A Pilot's Job Requires Tremendous Physical, Mental Capabilities'

'A Pilot's Job Requires Tremendous Physical, Mental Capabilities'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'The overall well-being of the pilots should be at the top of any airline's agenda in such situations.'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'In multi-pilot operations, no critical switch can be moved without the other pilot's consent.'

ICPA defends AI171 pilots, slams suicide speculation

ICPA defends AI171 pilots, slams suicide speculation

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) defends the crew of the crashed AI 171 flight, rejecting insinuations of pilot suicide and calling for a fair investigation.

Emergency turbine activates mid-air on Air India flight to UK

Emergency turbine activates mid-air on Air India flight to UK

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner experienced an uncommanded deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) shortly before landing. The DGCA is investigating the incident, raising safety concerns.

Many Air India pilots reported sick after AI171 crash

Many Air India pilots reported sick after AI171 crash

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

Aviation regulator DGCA has issued four show cause notices to Air India for various violations related to cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules and operational procedures, a month after the airline made certain voluntary disclosures to the watchdog.

Ahmedabad AI crash marks 1st fatal Boeing 787 accident

Ahmedabad AI crash marks 1st fatal Boeing 787 accident

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft -- VT-ANB -- was 11.5 years old and had flown for more than 41,000 hours, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.