Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Flight 171 Crew Amid Speculations

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has vocally defended the crew of Air India Flight 171, which crashed in June, amidst rising speculation about pilot culpability. They urge caution in drawing conclusions before the official investigation concludes.

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has come forward to support the crew of Air India Flight 171, highlighting the need for clarity and careful reporting following the tragic crash in June that left 260 people dead. The pilots represented by the ICPA assert that the crew "acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions," refuting any notions of culpability based on unverified assumptions.

The association's statement criticized the media for suggesting pilot suicide without credible evidence, labeling such insinuations as a "gross violation of ethical reporting." Official preliminary findings revealed that shortly after take-off, the aircraft's fuel-control switches unexpectedly moved to the "cut-off" position, disrupting engine fuel flow. Significantly, the report indicated there was no blame placed on the pilots, with cockpit recordings showing one pilot questioning the other about the switch changes, yet failing to clarify the situation.

Aviation experts assert the fuel switches are engineered to avoid accidental activation. The report did not adequately address how the switches were shifted to the cut-off position, yet speculation has circulated widely on social media regarding the pilots' role in the incident. The ICPA expressed concern over this narrative, emphasizing that until definitive conclusions can be drawn from the investigation, attributing grave allegations is both irresponsible and insensitive.

The preliminary report was compiled by a collective of Indian governmental and aviation authorities, including Boeing and General Electric experts, with a comprehensive final report expected within a year. Another pilots' organization, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), has echoed concerns about the investigation's integrity, questioning if necessary checks were conducted on the fuel-control switches in light of previous advisories from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Highlighting the pilots and crew's professionalism, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public to refrain from premature conclusions, emphasizing India’s reputation for having skilled aviation personnel. The unfortunate flight 171 had departed from Ahmedabad for London on June 12, tragically resulting in most fatalities among its 242 passengers, with only one survivor. The pilots were deemed fit for duty prior to take-off, having passed all required assessments.