Air India Crash Report: Global Pilots’ Body Warns Against Jumping to Conclusions

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) has advised caution regarding the preliminary report on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The report, released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, pertains to the incident involving Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft on June 12. IFALPA emphasised that these initial findings should not be seen as conclusions about the crash's cause.

In its statement, IFALPA warned against drawing "hasty conclusions" from the preliminary report. They highlighted that such reports are meant for quick dissemination of early-stage investigation data and only contain factual information and progress indications. The federation stressed that any assumptions based on this report would be speculative and unhelpful to the investigation.

Preliminary Findings and Concerns

The preliminary report revealed that during take-off, both engine fuel switches moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" just one second apart. This occurred on the Air India flight bound for London Gatwick, which tragically crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off, resulting in 241 onboard fatalities and 19 more on the ground.

According to cockpit voice recordings, one pilot questioned why the other had cut off the engines, to which the latter responded with denial. This detail has sparked concerns among several pilot associations over media imputations regarding pilot error.

Reactions from Pilot Associations

The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) expressed strong disapproval of accusations against AI171 pilots and crew. They labelled these allegations as a "gross violation" and a "disservice to the profession." Such imputations have been deemed insensitive by various pilot bodies.

IFALPA also noted that no safety recommendations were provided at this stage of the investigation. The federation remains committed to supporting India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in determining contributing factors to this accident.

Impact of Media Speculation

The global pilots' body acknowledged that while the report raises many questions, it does not provide answers. They cautioned that any extrapolation of its content would be mere guesswork, which could hinder proper investigation conduct.

Media and social media have been urged by IFALPA to refrain from publishing premature conclusions based on this preliminary report. The federation reiterated that such reports are primarily for sharing early-stage factual data.

The wreckage of Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft was secured under tight security in Ahmedabad a month after the tragedy. As investigations continue, IFALPA's call for restraint highlights their commitment to ensuring a thorough and unbiased inquiry into this devastating incident.