AI 171: Families being pressured on compensation, alleges pilots’ body

Ahmedabad: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Thursday alleged that families of Air India AI 171 plane crash victims were facing difficulties in getting compensation. They were being asked to sign undertakings waiving future legal claims, the pilots' body added.

Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad on the eve of the first anniversary of the tragedy, FIP president captain C S Randhawa reiterated the association's demand for a judicial probe into the crash that killed 260 people. Randhawa said compensation payable under the Montreal Convention amounted to nearly 152,000 SDRs, equivalent to around Rs 1.82 crore. "However, several families are instead being offered Rs 15-20 lakh," he alleged.

He further claimed that some families were being asked to sign affidavits waiving future legal action against Boeing and other entities connected to the aircraft.

Randhawa also raised concerns regarding treatment of victims' families, alleging that some still had not received personal belongings, including mobile phones of the deceased passengers. He said the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation had added to distress among affected families.

The FIP president also opposed any interim investigation report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), saying it would create further confusion and speculation. "If there is no conclusion from the investigation, releasing an interim report will only lead to more misunderstandings. The final report should be issued whenever the probe is completed," he said.

"Are they going to release the full CVR transcript? No. Are they going to release the full EAFR transcript? No," Randhawa said, alleging that selective disclosure of cockpit recordings had fuelled speculation while key investigation details remained undisclosed.

According to Randhawa, the FIP wrote more than 20 letters to the AAIB, the ministry of civil aviation and other authorities raising concerns over the investigation and compensation process.

"The objective is to prevent another such accident and ensure justice for the victims and their families," he said, adding that the FIP would continue to pursue legal and institutional remedies until all aspects of the crash were thoroughly investigated.