Pilots’ Body Sends Legal Notice to Reuters, WSJ Over ‘Speculative’ Air India Crash Coverage
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has served a legal notice to The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, accusing them of publishing “baseless” and “defamatory” reports about the June 12 Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which killed over 260 people. The notice comes after both outlets ran stories citing unnamed sources that attributed fault to the cockpit crew, despite India’s official probe steering clear of assigning blame.
The controversy began after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings into the crash. The investigation found that both fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 flipped to “Cutoff” seconds after takeoff, causing the engines to shut down and the plane to crash into a densely populated suburb, killing almost all onboard and several on the ground. The AAIB report, however, did not specify who moved the switches or whether it was accidental, mechanical, or otherwise. It also explicitly refrained from blaming either pilot or the crew for the fatal incident.
On July 17, Reuters published an article with the headline, “Air India cockpit recording suggests captain cut fuel to engines before crash, source says,” echoing claims first made by The Wall Street Journal. Citing unnamed individuals familiar with early US assessments, the articles suggested that the senior pilot may have deliberately turned off the fuel switches. These assertions are not supported by any official AAIB documentation published to date.
Reacting strongly, the FIP labelled the coverage “speculative content” and “highly irresponsible”. The pilots’ body argued that such reports risk tarnishing the reputation of the deceased pilots—who are not alive to defend themselves—and inflict unnecessary distress on grieving families. Captain CS Randhawa, FIP President, stated, “Nowhere in the report has it been mentioned that the fuel control switch was turned off due to the pilot’s mistake. They have not read the report properly, and we will take action”.
The FIP’s notice demands that Reuters and WSJ immediately stop publishing or circulating any content that speculates on the cause of the crash or implies fault before the conclusion of the ongoing official investigation. It also asks for amendments to the existing articles, a public disclaimer clarifying the secondary nature of the cited sources, and an explicit note that no final conclusions have been issued by investigators.
India’s AAIB also issued a public caution to international media on Thursday, warning against selective and unverified reporting. The bureau reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and urged journalists globally to respect the sensitivity of the matter and the families affected. “It is too early to reach any definite conclusions on the Air India crash; the final probe will determine the cause and recommend safety measures,” the AAIB said.
The reports by Reuters and WSJ have sparked sharp reactions on social media and from the broader aviation community, with many pilots’ groups and experts viewing the coverage as premature and damaging. The FIP, representing over 5,000 Indian pilots, underscored that building public anxiety and mistrust in Indian aviation based on “unfounded facts” is unacceptable during such a sensitive investigation.
The AAIB’s final report on the Air India crash is still awaited. Until then, pilot associations and authorities continue to call for restraint in reporting and a commitment to facts over speculation.
