Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crew Amid Crash Speculations

Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which resulted in 260 fatalities, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has firmly defended the aircraft's crew against allegations of pilot error, particularly claims of suicide. The association emphasizes the need for responsible reporting and ethical discourse as investigations continue.

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has come forth to defend the crew of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed in June, leading to the deaths of 260 individuals. In light of growing speculation regarding the incident, particularly concerning reckless claims of pilot suicide, the ICPA has urged both media and the public to refrain from concluding narratives that lack verified evidence and can undermine the dignity of the aviation profession.

The association emphasized that the crew acted in accordance with their training and responsibilities amidst challenging circumstances. A preliminary investigation report did not find the pilots at fault; rather, it indicated that shortly after take-off, both fuel-control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner shifted to the "cut-off" position, which deprived the engines of fuel. The cockpit voice recording revealed a complex exchange between the pilots regarding this switch, though it did not definitively clarify accountability.

Experts in aviation and pilots have noted that the fuel switches possess safeguards preventing accidental activation — a critical fact in the ongoing investigation. While the preliminary findings do not clarify how the switches were altered, speculation within media circles has led to damaging assumptions regarding the pilots' conduct. The ICPA expressed its distress over these developments, particularly regarding the unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide, stating firmly that no evidence currently supports such claims.

In addition to the statements from the ICPA, another pilots' organization, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), has also raised concerns regarding the investigation's direction. They called for greater transparency, expressing their surprise at the lack of industry oversight participants. They highlighted similarities between the switches on the tragically crashed Boeing 787 and earlier safety bulletins concerning different models, questioning the adequacy of Air India's response to prior recommendations.

Following the release of the preliminary report, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu advised against making premature judgments, emphasizing the professionalism and skill of Indian pilots and crew members. He noted that the pilots had been adequately rested before the flight and had passed relevant tests before take-off.

Flight 171, which departed from Ahmedabad for Gatwick in London on June 12, had 242 people on board. It crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the death of 241 individuals onboard, with one passenger surviving the incident. The full investigation is ongoing, with additional details expected in the final report, due to be released within the next year.