Pilots' Group Questions RAT Deployment Timeline in Air India AI-171 Crash Probe
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised concerns over the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India flight AI-171 crash, particularly disputing the timeline of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment. FIP cites independent Boeing 787 simulator tests indicating RAT deployment takes about 18 seconds after fuel interruption, contrasting with the AAIB's reported four to five seconds. The pilots' body urges AAIB to conduct comprehensive simulator tests with independent observers before finalizing the report, suggesting RAT deployment may indicate earlier system malfunctions prior to takeoff.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 5%, Centre 93%, Right 2%). Overall sentiment is neutral (38/100). Lens Score 43/100 — moderate-to-low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- economictimes— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
- hindustantimes— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
AI Analysis
The article group primarily reflects the perspective of the Federation of Indian Pilots challenging the official investigation by the AAIB. It includes viewpoints from legal representatives of crash victims and the investigative agency's preliminary findings. The coverage focuses on technical discrepancies without partisan framing, representing both the pilots' skepticism and the AAIB's ongoing probe.
The overall tone across the articles is cautious and investigative, highlighting concerns and calls for further verification without assigning blame. The sentiment is mixed, combining respect for the investigation process with critical scrutiny from the pilots' body, reflecting a balanced approach to a sensitive aviation accident inquiry.
How 2 sources covered this story
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.