Pilot groups reject human error claims in Air India crash, cite preliminary report

Two prominent commercial pilots' associations have strongly rejected claims of human error in the Air India crash that tragically killed 260 people last month, following a preliminary investigation report indicating that the plane's engine fuel switches were turned off. The report, issued by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday, noted a cockpit exchange where one pilot asked the other why he cut off fuel, to which the second pilot replied he had not, but offered no conclusions or assigned blame.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) expressed deep disturbance over "speculative narratives... particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide." In a statement, the ICPA emphasized there is "absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage," calling it "deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved" and a "gross violation of ethical reporting." This strong reaction comes amidst independent aviation experts suggesting deliberate or inadvertent pilot action as a potential cause, given that engine fuel control switches are typically moved manually.

Adding to the discontent, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), another influential pilots' body, accused the AAIB of "secrecy" surrounding the investigation and questioned the exclusion of "suitably qualified personnel." ALPA India President Sam Thomas stated, "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." Both associations have called for greater transparency and requested to be included as observers in the ongoing probe into the June 12 crash of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed all but one of the 242 people on board, as well as 19 individuals on the ground.