Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crash Crew Amid Speculation

Tue Jul 15 2025 09:38:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crash Crew Amid Speculation

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association urges responsible reporting after the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, highlighting the need for sensitivity toward the victims' families.


The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has issued a statement defending the crew of Air India Flight 171, which crashed in June, amid growing speculation regarding the pilots' actions. They call for fair reporting as investigations continue, emphasizing the pilots acted according to their training despite challenging conditions.


The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) is rallying to support the crew of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed in June, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals. In a statement released on Saturday, the ICPA emphasized that the pilots should not be vilified based on unverified conjectures, stating that they acted in accordance with their training amid extraordinarily challenging circumstances.

The preliminary investigation report revealed that just after take-off, both fuel-control switches of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner shifted to the "cut-off" position, denying fuel to the engines. This report included cockpit voice recordings where one pilot questioned the other on why the cut-off occurred, leading to heightened speculation about pilot error or intent. Experts assert that these switches are designed to prevent accidental activation and must be released from their protective guard before being flipped.

Despite the report’s lack of definitive answers on how the switches were unintentionally moved, speculation surrounding potential pilot suicide has emerged strongly in media circles, prompting an outcry from the ICPA. They condemned such notions as ethically irresponsible and a disservice to those involved, arguing that until the investigation concludes with a final report, spreading such serious allegations is inappropriate.

The preliminary investigation includes input from various stakeholders, including officials from Boeing, the Indian government, and aviation experts from the US and UK, with the final report expected to be released within a year. Concurrently, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) raised concerns about the methods of the investigation, citing past advisories regarding Boeing’s fuel control switches, and their implications for airplane safety.

Meanwhile, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu called for patience, advising the public and media to refrain from jumping to conclusions before the final investigation report is published. Notable in his remarks was recognition of the dedication and professionalism exhibited by Indian pilots and crew underlining their integral role in civil aviation. Flight 171 had a total of 242 individuals on board at the time of its departure from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, leaving one survivor amidst the deadly consequences of the crash.

MORE ON THEME

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:11:32 GMT

India Mandates Inspection of Fuel Control Switches in Boeing Jets Following Air India Crash

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:11:32 GMT
Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:38:44 GMT

India Mandates Boeing Jet Inspections After Deadly Air India Crash

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:38:44 GMT
Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:49 GMT

**Gregg Wallace's BBC Exit: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Result in Show Host's Dismissal**

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:49 GMT
Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:20:48 GMT

Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crew Amid Crash Speculations

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:20:48 GMT
Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:43:50 GMT

**Shooting Incident in Kentucky Church Leaves Two Women Dead**

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:43:50 GMT
Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:43:21 GMT

**Trump Supports Attorney General Bondi Amid Epstein Controversy**

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:43:21 GMT
Sun, 13 Jul 2025 11:54:58 GMT

Prison Escape in France: Inmate Hides in Fellow Prisoner's Bag

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 11:54:58 GMT
Sun, 13 Jul 2025 07:36:29 GMT

### Title: Air India Crash Investigation Leaves Families Seeking Answers

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 07:36:29 GMT
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 15:04:52 GMT

Tragedy Strikes: The Aviation Disaster of Air India Flight 171

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 15:04:52 GMT
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:52:55 GMT

Families Demand Clarity on Air India Crash Investigation

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:52:55 GMT
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 09:45:30 GMT

**Escalating Violence in West Bank: Two Palestinians Killed Amid Settler Attacks**

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 09:45:30 GMT
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:30:09 GMT

Mystifying Factors Surrounding Air India Flight 171 Crash Emerged from Cockpit Recordings

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:30:09 GMT
Sat, 12 Jul 2025 03:41:08 GMT

**Unraveling the Air India Flight 171 Mystery: The Cockpit Audio Dilemma**

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 03:41:08 GMT
Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:30:39 GMT

Investigators Probe Cause of Air India Flight 171 Tragedy

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:30:39 GMT
Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:23:20 GMT

Second Blaze Strikes Cairo's Telecommunications Hub Amid Recovery Efforts

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:23:20 GMT
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:13:42 GMT

Ursula von der Leyen Survives Confidence Vote Amidst Far-Right Challenges

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:13:42 GMT
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:51:59 GMT

Ursula von der Leyen Overcomes Confidence Vote Amidst Rising Far-Right Challenges

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:51:59 GMT
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:55:34 GMT

**Tragedy on the Mahisagar: Eyewitness Accounts from Gujarat's Bridge Collapse**

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:55:34 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:10:19 GMT

National Rally Condemns Police Raids as Political Harassment

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:10:19 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:41:37 GMT

French Police Conduct Raid on National Rally Offices Amid Campaign Finance Investigation

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:41:37 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.