The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has publicly defended the crew involved in the Air India Flight 171 crash, which took place in June and resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives. In a statement, the ICPA stressed that the pilots performed their duties in accordance with their training and responsibilities under extremely challenging circumstances, asserting that they should not be vilified due to unfounded allegations.
The association condemned suggestions that pilot suicide may have played a role in the accident, labeling such claims as ethically reckless and detrimental to the professional dignity of pilots. They highlighted that a preliminary report did not assign blame to the crew; instead, it noted that shortly after take-off, both fuel-control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner shifted to the "cut-off" position, depriving the engines of fuel. The cockpit voice recording indicated a conversation regarding the switch status, but did not clarify who was responsible for the change.
Aviation experts stressed that these switches are intentionally designed to prevent unintentional activation, necessitating specific actions to disengage the guard brackets. Although the preliminary report raised critical questions about how the switches were moved to the cut-off position, public discourse has been rife with speculation following its release.
The ICPA voiced their dismay regarding the increase in speculative narratives, particularly involving alarming insinuations about pilot suicide, stating that such allegations lack substantiation and are emotionally damaging to victims' families and individuals involved. They urged responsible conduct in reporting until the final investigative report is published, expected within a year.
Another pilot organization, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), has also expressed concern over the investigative process. They highlighted previous advisories regarding potential issues with the fuel-control switches used in the aircraft, originally noted by the US Federal Aviation Administration in a bulletin from December 2018. Although they raised these concerns, the advisory was not classified as a safety issue demanding corrective action.
ALPA India's president, Captain Sam Thomas, criticized the investigative approach, perceiving it as leaning towards presuming pilot guilt. He called for transparency in the probe and requested participation in a supervisory capacity.
Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reminded reporters not to reach hasty conclusions, endorsing the capabilities of Indian pilots and crew, and emphasizing their exemplary professional standards. Flight 171 had departed from Ahmedabad heading to Gatwick in London, with the crash resulting in 241 deaths, one survivor onboard, and an additional 19 fatalities on the ground. The pilots were reportedly well-rested and cleared to fly, having arrived the previous day in Ahmedabad.
