Pilot associations in India are infuriated over the theories that are hinting that pilot action or error being behind the crash of Air India flight AI 171. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) on Sunday condemned the insinuation in public discourse and sections of the media that pilot suicide might be the cause of the tragic crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12.
The body, which represents the narrow-body fleet pilots at Air India, said in a statement that such a suggestion based on incomplete and preliminary information is “reckless and unfounded”, in addition to being “irresponsible” and “deeply insensitive”.
The ICPA is the second pilots’ association to raise serious concerns about the pilot action theories that has been doing rounds since the release of the preliminary report of the investigation into the crash—the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in four decades. On Saturday, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-I) had criticized the report for its “tone and direction” that suggested “bias towards pilot error”.
“We call upon media organizations and public commentators to act with restraint, empathy, and respect for due process. The crew of AI 171 acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions. They deserve support—not vilification based on conjecture,” the ICPA said, expressing its “unwavering support” for the pilots of flight AI 171.
The preliminary probe report, which was released early Saturday, has led to speculation in certain quarters about pilot action, inadvertent or even deliberate, being the likely cause of the crash. The 15-page report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has zeroed in on the most probable primary cause of the accident—the engines being starved of fuel with the transitioning of the fuel control switches from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within a second of each other moments after lift-off.
From the cockpit voice recorder data, the report notes that one of the pilots asked the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded saying he did not. But it does not detail the conversation between the pilots prior to and after this brief exchange. The report did not include the full transcript of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recording.
To be sure, the report just says the engine fuel control switches that allow and cut fuel flow to the plane’s engines transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF. It does not state these were moved by either of the pilots.
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Top aviation ministry officials, experts and industry insiders have maintained that jumping to any conclusion at this early stage of the investigation just based on limited information in the initial report wouldn’t be appropriate. There is a long way to go for the investigation and a lot could change as the probe progresses over the coming months, they said. The report, too, clearly mentions the disclaimer that it is based on “preliminary facts and evidence”, and that the information it contains is “preliminary and subject to change”.
“In the aftermath of this incident, we are deeply disturbed by speculative narratives emerging in sections of the media and public discourse—particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide. Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible—it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved,” the ICPA said.
It added that pilots undergo extensive psychological and professional screening, recurrent training, and operate under the highest standards of safety, responsibility, and mental fitness.
“To casually suggest pilot suicide in the absence of verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession. As aviation professionals, we trust and respect the rigorous investigative protocols established by competent authorities. These inquiries are designed to uncover facts methodically and without bias. Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation—especially of such a grave nature—is unacceptable and must be condemned,” the ICPA said.
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On Saturday, ALPA-I had raised concerns on the direction the AI 171 crash investigation appears to be taking. “The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error. ALPA-I categorically rejects this presumption and insists on a fair, fact-based inquiry,” ALPA-I President Sam Thomas said. The pilots’ body also reiterated its request to be included “at the very least, as observers” in the air crash investigation.
An aircraft is an extremely sophisticated and complex machine, and detailed and painstaking investigations are required to ascertain the exact cause or combination of causes. The odds that an aviation accident has a single trigger are rare; there could be many, or one leading to another. The AAIB is expected to release the final probe report within a year of the crash, as per international guidelines.
