A leading Indian pilots’ association has called for restraint and respect in the public discussion surrounding the Air India Flight 171 crash, which claimed 260 lives in June.

The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) released a strong statement defending the flight crew, emphasizing that the pilots acted in accordance with their training under extremely difficult circumstances.

“To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting,” the ICPA said, warning against speculation and unfounded accusations. The union stressed that the pilots should not be vilified based on conjecture, especially while the investigation remains ongoing.

A preliminary investigation report released over the weekend does not assign blame to the crew. It revealed that seconds after take-off, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s fuel control switches were somehow moved to the “cut-off” position, causing the engines to lose power. Voice recordings from the cockpit indicate confusion between the pilots over the switch activation, but do not clarify who operated them.

Experts note that these switches are designed with safeguards, including lock mechanisms and protective guards, to prevent accidental movement. The report, however, does not explain how the switches were triggered.

Despite this, media and social media have circulated theories suggesting intentional action by the pilots—claims the ICPA and other aviation bodies have firmly rejected.

“We are deeply disturbed by the speculative narratives circulating in the public domain—particularly the reckless insinuation of pilot suicide,” the ICPA stated. “There is absolutely no basis for such claims at this stage.”

Another group, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India), raised concerns about the transparency and composition of the investigation team. ALPA India pointed out a 2018 bulletin from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which noted issues with similar fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft. The bulletin was advisory and did not lead to mandatory inspections.

ALPA India has demanded clarity on whether Air India implemented the recommended safety checks and questioned why certain qualified personnel were excluded from the investigation process. “The current probe appears biased toward presuming pilot error,” said Captain Sam Thomas, ALPA India’s president.

The union has also requested to be included in the investigation process to ensure transparency.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public and media to avoid premature conclusions. “Let’s wait for the final report,” he said, describing India’s aviation professionals as “the backbone” of the civil aviation sector.

Flight 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off on 12 June. Among 242 people onboard, only one passenger survived. Nineteen people on the ground also lost their lives. The pilots were reportedly well-rested and had passed all pre-flight checks.

The final report from the investigation is expected within a year.