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.
Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crash Crew Amid Speculation

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 (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.