‘You don’t even know basics’: Pilots’ Association objects to Air India crash probe report; says ‘not happy with investigation, unfairly blames crew’

NEW DELHI: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) on Monday raised concerns over the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India 171 crash, saying they were “not happy” with the investigation.Speaking to news agency PTI, ALPA India president Sam Thomas said, “The timing of the release of document was middle of the night, it doesn’t have any signatures, one sentence is misleading, there is no altitude of aircraft given, these are elementary mistakes terms like full authority digital engine control was written ‘dual engine control’, so you don’t even know the basics.”“We are not happy with the investigation, it is going in direction of blaming the pilots, that is our objection,” he added.These remarks come after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report into the June 12 plane Air India crash.The report, released late Saturday night, revealed that both engine fuel switches had moved to the “CUTOFF” position seconds after takeoff, leading to a loss of thrust and the eventual crash that killed 260 people.According to the AAIB’s preliminary findings, “the engine 1 and engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of one second,” just three seconds after the aircraft became airborne. The report did not offer any blame or conclusions but noted a cockpit exchange in which one pilot asked the other why he had cut off the fuel, to which the other replied he had not. No further details of the cockpit dialogue were disclosed.ALPA India, which represents Indian pilots under the global ALPA-I network, strongly criticised the preliminary crash report, alleging procedural flaws and a rushed attempt to blame the pilots.Earlier in a statement, ALPA had said that, “The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error. We categorically reject this presumption and insist on a fair, fact-based inquiry.”ALPA has formally requested the AAIB to be included in the investigation process as observers “to provide the requisite transparency.”It also criticised the bureau for releasing documents “without any responsible official signature or attribution.”Another Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) said it was deeply disturbed by speculative narratives and particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide.“The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) expresses its unwavering support for the flight crew of Air India flight Al 171. 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,” the ICPA said in the statement.“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,” it added.The association highlighted the rigorous psychological and professional screening processes that pilots undergo, alongside regular training to maintain the highest safety standards and mental fitness requirements. They stated that suggesting pilot suicide without verified evidence undermines ethical reporting and professional dignity.ICPA urged media outlets and commentators to exercise restraint and show respect for proper investigative procedures. ” The ICPA remains committed to defending the integrity and well-being of our members and calls on all to uphold the principles of fairness and factual reporting,” the pilots’ association added.The Air India Flight 171 crash claimed the lives of 241 out of 242 people on board, which included 230 passengers and 12 crew members, only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people were killed and 67 others were injured.