WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI/MONTREAL >> The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe, with the FAA saying they are safe,

In an official statement, Captain Sam Thomas, President of Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India, said, "The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error. We categorically reject this presumption and insist on a fair, fact-based inquiry".

The AAIB released its preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12.