Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crash Crew Amid Speculation

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has defended the crew of Air India Flight 171, calling out speculative narratives regarding pilot conduct following the tragic crash that killed 260. The association urges caution and ethical reporting as investigations continue.

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has issued a statement defending the crew of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed in June and resulted in the loss of 260 lives. The ICPA emphasized that the pilots operated within their training parameters and responsibilities under extremely challenging circumstances, stressing that they should not be vilified based on unsubstantiated conjectures.

In response to media speculation suggesting pilot suicide, the association denounced such claims as a serious ethical breach and a disservice to the airline profession's dignity. The preliminary report from the investigation did not implicate the pilots, instead noting that shortly after departure, the fuel-control switches of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner moved to a "cut-off" position, resulting in a loss of fuel supply to the engines. Within moments of this switch activation, which is designed to prevent accidental changes, the aircraft crashed.

The cockpit voice recordings revealed an exchange between the two pilots, with one questioning the other about the switch's position. However, the recording did not provide clarity on who was responsible for the cut-off action. Aviation experts confirmed that these switches are safeguarded against accidental activation, complicating speculation about how the switches were triggered at such a critical moment.

Disturbed by the irresponsible narratives circulating in the media, the ICPA reiterated that such allegations, especially ones as severe as pilot suicide, are grounded in incomplete information that could hurt the victims' families and the aviation community's integrity. They insisted on waiting for the final investigation report, given that the early findings have not provided full explanations for the incident.

Concerns have also been raised by another pilots' group, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), regarding the lack of transparency in the investigation process. Citing a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning safety issues with Boeing 737 fuel control switches, they demanded clarity on whether Air India had implemented safety recommendations before the flight.

The FAA responded, affirming the safety of the fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft but revealing the switches in question had been installed without certain safety features. Both pilots' associations have expressed discontent over the perceived bias in the ongoing investigation and have requested official roles in the process to promote greater accountability.

In light of recent developments, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public and media to refrain from jumping to conclusions before the release of the final report, which is expected in the coming year. He underscored the importance of the pilots and crew in India's civil aviation sphere, praising their professionalism and dedication.

The crash of Flight 171, which took off from Ahmedabad to Gatwick on June 12, has left a deep impact, with 241 fatalities on board and one lone survivor. The Federal Aviation Authority's advisory and its implications continue to attract scrutiny as the investigation unfolds amidst calls for transparency and fairness.