The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has issued a strong defense for the crew of Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed in June, resulting in the loss of 260 lives. This statement comes in response to a growing wave of media speculation, including unsubstantiated suggestions of pilot suicide, which the association describes as a serious ethical breach.
In a public announcement, the ICPA highlighted that the flight crew acted in accordance with their training amidst "challenging conditions," urging the public and media not to jump to conclusions based on conjecture. A preliminary investigation report noted that both fuel-control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner moved to the "cut-off" position just seconds after takeoff, depriving the aircraft of fuel. The report also revealed a dramatic exchange between the two pilots in the cockpit, with no clarification on who made the critical switch.
aviation experts, including fellow pilots, have noted that the switches are designed to prevent accidental activation and require specific actions to be changed. The preliminary findings did not directly implicate any pilot misconduct. Despite this, speculation has been rampant, particularly online, which has led to the ICPA expressing deep concern over the "reckless" narratives emerging in public discourse.
The pilots' association stated, "Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage" and condemned the casualness with which such serious allegations are thrown around without concrete evidence. They urge caution and have stressed the insensitivity towards the victims' families involved.
A joint investigation, involving the Indian government and experts from Boeing and General Electric, is currently underway, with a final report expected in a year. The ICPA has expressed surprise at the perceived secrecy of the investigation process, while the Airline Pilots' Association of India echoed similar sentiments, questioning the qualifications of personnel involved in the inquiry.
In light of the ongoing investigation, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public to refrain from making premature judgments. He praised the Indian aviation workforce, emphasizing their professionalism and dedication.
Air India Flight 171, which took off from Ahmedabad for Gatwick, London, had 242 passengers on board at the time of the incident, leaving only one survivor among the deceased. The investigation continues as the aviation community seeks answers regarding the devastating crash.
