Pilots' Body Raises Concern Over Allegations Of Human Error After Air India Plane Crash Report

Following the preliminary report on the Air India Ahmedabad crash, the ICPA condemned accusations of pilot error and suicide as baseless and unethical.

The AAIB report indicated fuel cutoff to both engines shortly after takeoff, but the ICPA insists that speculating on pilot actions without verified evidence is irresponsible.

Source : PTI

The Indian Commercial Pilots ' Association has raised its concerns over the accusations of pilot error after the preliminary report on the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad was released on Saturday. 

The ICPA issued an official statement calling the accusations and allegations against the pilots and flight crew a "gross violation" and "disservice to the profession."

"In the aftermath of this incident, we are deeply disturbed by speculative narratives emerging in sections of the media and public discourse, particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide," said ICPA.

"Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible—it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved," the statement added. 

It further said that any mention of pilot error or suicide  "in the absence of verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession."

The 15-page report published by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) laid out the sequence of events for the ill-fated AI171 flight. 

According to the report, the fuel to both engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. Based on the AAIB report, the fuel control switches were found in the "cutoff" position.

"At about 08:08:42 UTC (1:38 pm, 42 seconds) and immediately thereafter, the engine 1 and engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec,” the report stated.

The London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed into a medical hostel complex just seconds after it left the runway from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Around 260 people, including 241 persons onboard the plane. A British national, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a passenger on the 11A seat of the aircraft, had a miraculous escape through the emergency door.