Pilot Federation Urges Caution Over Speculation In Air India Crash

On Monday, The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), urged against drawing "hasty conclusions" from the preliminary report into the crash of an Air India aircraft.The federation emphasized that the report contains only initial findings and does not determine the cause of the tragic incident.

According to Hindustan Times, a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India, released a month after the crash, revealed a critical detail. It stated that both engine fuel switches on the aircraft moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position just one second apart during the takeoff.

The report also included a cockpit voice recording where one pilot is heard asking the other as to why has he cut off the fuel, after which the second pilot replied that he had not.

The report also included a cockpit voice recording where one pilot is heard asking the other as to why has he cut off the fuel, after which the second pilot replied that he had not.

In its statement, IFALPA cautioned that the preliminary report is for the quick sharing of early data and only includes factual information. The global pilots' body stated that while the report raises "many questions," it "does not provide answers." They warned that any interpretation of its contents at this stage is merely "guesswork" and not helpful to the ongoing investigation, reported The Guardian 

The federation also pointed out that the report does not yet include any safety recommendations.

Reportedly, several pilot associations have voiced concerns about media and social media speculation regarding the role of the pilots of flight AI171. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association has called the accusations against the pilots and crew, a "gross violation" and a "disservice to the profession.”

They have strongly condemned what they term "reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide," stating there is no basis for such a claim.

The Air India Boeing 787-8, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after takeoff on June 12. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 241 people on board and an additional 19 fatalities on the ground.