Indian Pilots' Association Defends Air India Crash Crew Amid Speculations

Tue Oct 21 2025 12:27:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association stands firm against allegations implicating Air India Flight 171 pilots in a crash that killed 260, emphasizing the need for responsible reporting.

The ICPA has called for an end to speculation regarding pilot involvement in the crash, citing preliminary reports that suggest no blame rests with the crew. The association urges media and public discourse to refrain from insinuating pilot intent, insisting on respect and dignity for those affected by the tragedy.

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has come forward to defend the crew of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed in June, resulting in 260 fatalities. The association asserts that the pilots acted responsibly and in accordance with their training under severely challenging conditions. The pilots should not be vilified based on speculation, they stated.

The preliminary investigation report released recently does not attribute blame to the pilots, revealing that shortly after take-off, both fuel-control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner switched to the "cut-off" position, denying fuel to the engines. The cockpit voice recording captures dialogue between the pilots about the switches, though it does not clarify who was responsible for changing the settings.

The ICPA has expressed alarm at the conjecture surrounding the pilots' actions, emphasizing that suggestions of intentional malice, such as pilot suicide, are unfounded and harmful. They stress, “To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession.” They call for restraint in public discussions until the final investigation report is completed, which is expected within a year.

Another pilot union, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), also highlighted concerns over the investigation process. They noted that a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration indicated issues with Boeing 737 fuel control switches, similar to those on the Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash. ALPA India urged clarity on whether the safety recommendations had been implemented prior to the flight.

The Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, has urged not to draw hasty conclusions and commended the professionalism of India's aviation workforce. Flight 171 was en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London when it crashed, resulting in the loss of 241 lives while one passenger managed to survive. The pilots were deemed fit to fly, having passed necessary tests before the flight.