Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Indian Commercial Pilot Association (ICPA) has strongly condemned speculation surrounding the Air India Flight 171 crash, particularly dismissing unfounded suggestions of pilot suicide. In an official statement issued Sunday, the association emphasized the need to respect formal investigative procedures and avoid premature conclusions until the final report is released.
Pilots Call for Respect for Investigation Process
“As aviation professionals, we trust and respect the rigorous investigative protocols established by competent authorities. These inquiries are designed to uncover facts methodically and without bias. Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation—especially of such a grave nature—is unacceptable and must be condemned,” the ICPA stated.
The association expressed deep concern over speculative narratives circulating in sections of the media and public discourse, warning that baseless insinuations of pilot suicide are not only irresponsible but also deeply insensitive to the individuals and families affected by the tragedy.
“Let us be unequivocally clear that 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,” the statement added.
AI171 Crash: Tragic Loss and Ongoing Investigation
The Air India Flight 171 tragedy occurred on June 12 when a London-bound Boeing 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft collided with a hostel building at BJ Medical College, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, marking one of the worst aviation disasters in India in recent years.
Earlier on Friday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings, revealing a critical emergency that unfolded just 90 seconds after takeoff. According to the AAIB, both engines shut down unexpectedly during the climb due to the accidental movement of the fuel cutoff switches from RUN to CUTOFF. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” with the response, “I did not.”
Although pilots attempted to relight both engines, only Engine 1 began to recover, while Engine 2 could not stabilize. Despite briefly reaching 180 knots, the aircraft continued to lose altitude. A final distress call, “MAYDAY,” was transmitted seconds before the crash at 08:09 UTC.
The ICPA concluded its statement by urging the public and media to allow the investigation to proceed without interference. “The crew of AI 171 acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions. They deserve support, not vilification based on conjecture,” the association said.
