New Delhi: The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has condemned what it called “reckless and baseless” speculation following a preliminary inquiry report into the Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which suggested that pilot suicide could have caused the accident.
In a statement, the ICPA said, “Until the official investigation is completed and the final report is published, any speculation is unacceptable and should be condemned.”
A preliminary report submitted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12 mentioned that the fuel control switches of the aircraft moved to the cut-off position three seconds after take-off.
The report noted that the fuel cut-off switches of both engines shifted from ‘run’ to ‘cut-off’ within a one-second gap, leading to the crash.
Expressing solidarity with the crew, the ICPA said, “We are deeply disturbed by the narratives emerging in certain sections of the media and public discourse, especially the reckless and baseless allegation of the pilot’s suicide.”
The association added that making such allegations based on incomplete information is “irresponsible” and “insensitive towards the persons and families involved.”
The pilots’ body urged media organisations and public commentators to exercise restraint, empathy and to respect due process while reporting on the incident.
