Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 14: India’s pilot unions have strongly criticized what they describe as “reckless and baseless speculation” surrounding the recent Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, warning against premature blame directed at the flight crew.

In a scathing statement issued on Sunday, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) denounced media insinuations suggesting pilot suicide or error, calling them “deeply insensitive and irresponsible.”

“Speculation without evidence only serves to sensationalise tragedy,” the ICPA said. “The crew followed their training and protocols during the emergency. Allegations at this stage are cruel and unfounded.”

Their response comes in the wake of leaked details from a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which suggested that both engines of the Dreamliner lost thrust after the fuel cut-off switches shifted from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ shortly after take-off.

Cockpit recordings revealed confusion, with one pilot reportedly insisting he had not touched the fuel controls. The switches were turned back to RUN just before impact — a detail now at the centre of the investigation.

However, pilot groups argue that media leaks and interpretations are undermining the integrity of the probe. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has demanded that line pilots be included in the investigative process as observers, calling for greater transparency and technical rigor.

Former AAIB Director Aurobindo Handa weighed in, noting that the preliminary report offers only a chronological account, not conclusive causes.

“There’s still no clarity on what triggered the fuel shutoff,” Handa said. “Preliminary and final reports often differ significantly.”

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also cautioned the public and the media against drawing conclusions, reiterating that the AAIB’s report is still in its early stages and the final findings will take time.

As investigations continue, pilot associations have urged restraint, reminding the public that premature judgments risk not only undermining due process but also harming the reputation of professionals who risk their lives in high-pressure situations.