TWO leading Indian pilots’ unions have strongly rejected speculation that human error or deliberate pilot action caused the Air India crash that killed 260 people last month, describing the narrative as irresponsible and premature.
Their comments follow a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which revealed that engine fuel switches on the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had been turned off moments before the plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on 12 June.
AFP reported that while the AAIB report, released on 12 July, stopped short of assigning blame, it noted that one pilot questioned the other about cutting off fuel supply, to which the latter reportedly replied, “I didn’t.” No further details were disclosed about the cockpit exchange.
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) said in a statement on Sunday that it was “deeply disturbed by speculative narratives… particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide.”
“There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage,” the association said. “It is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved. 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 Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) also raised concerns, accusing the AAIB of opacity and a lack of inclusion of “suitably qualified personnel” in the inquiry.
“We feel that the investigation is being driven in a direction presuming the guilt of pilots and we strongly object to this line of thought,” said ALPA India president Sam Thomas in a statement.
ALPA has requested that its representatives be included as observers in the AAIB’s ongoing investigation to “provide the requisite transparency.”
The crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, with only one survivor, and killed 19 people on the ground. The AAIB has yet to issue a final report. - July 15, 2025
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