‘Reckless and Unfounded’: Pilots Reject Blame in Deadly Air India Crash

India’s top pilot associations are calling for facts, not finger-pointing, after a fuel-switch finding sparks speculation

When Air India Flight AI117 went down just after takeoff from Ahmedabad last month, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground, the tragedy became one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. Now, as the first official report is released, two of India’s largest pilot organisations are pushing back hard against the narrative forming around the cause.

What the report actually says

Over the weekend, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released preliminary findings on the June 12 crash. While it stopped short of assigning blame, the report noted that the plane’s engine fuel control switches had been turned off. A cockpit exchange revealed one pilot asked the other why the fuel was cut off. The reply: “I didn’t.”

That single, cryptic detail has sparked widespread speculation from independent aviation analysts who argue that the fuel switches on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner can only be operated manually, suggesting either error or intent.

But India’s pilot associations aren’t having it.

‘No basis’ for suicide theories

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents thousands of pilots nationwide, said it was “deeply disturbed” by what it called a reckless rush to blame.

“There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage,” the ICPA said in a strongly worded statement. “To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession.”

The union described the insinuations as insensitive and harmful to the grieving families and colleagues of the deceased crew members.

ALPA India: Transparency now

ALPA India, another leading pilots’ body, echoed those concerns and went further, accusing the AAIB of secrecy and lack of industry participation in the investigation process. President Sam Thomas warned that the probe appeared biased toward blaming the flight crew.

“We strongly object to this line of thought,” said Thomas, adding that ALPA has formally requested observer status in the investigation to ensure transparency. ALPA India is affiliated with a global organisation representing over 100,000 pilots worldwide.

Caution over conclusions

While aviation commentators continue to debate whether the fuel switch issue points to deliberate action, many are warning against jumping to conclusions. Major air crash investigations often take months, if not years, before causes are confirmed. In this case, black box data, flight history, and maintenance records have yet to be made public.

“This is not the time for half-baked theories,” said one Indian aviation safety analyst on X (formerly Twitter). “We owe the victims a full and fair investigation, not headlines that run ahead of the facts.”

Social media reacts

The public response has been mixed, with some demanding quick accountability, while others are pushing for respect and restraint.

One post gaining traction read, “Even in grief, dignity matters. Stop blaming people before the truth is known.” Many echoed the sentiment that India’s aviation professionals deserve better than speculation based on a single line from an incomplete report.

What we know and what we don’t

As of mid-July 2025, here are the only confirmed details:

• The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London.

• 260 people were killed, including one sole survivor.

• The fuel switches were off, and the pilots discussed it in the cockpit.

• No final cause has been determined or published.

• Pilot bodies are demanding inclusion and transparency in the investigation.

The AAIB has not responded publicly to the pilot unions’ criticism or their request to join the investigative process.

For now, the facts are few, the grief is raw, and the calls for truth are growing louder.

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Source: IOL

Featured Image: Malay Mail