Attribution of Pilot Error in Air Crashes: Psychiatric, Ethical, and Systemic Considerations

Dear Editor,

India witnessed its worst air tragedy on June 12, 2025, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Air India Flight AI171, from Ahmedabad bound to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off and into a hostel building of B. J. Medical College. 260 people lost their lives.[1,2] It is understandable that airlines often cite pilot error, as it reduces legal liabilities, diverts attention from technical or systemic issues, and is convenient, given that the deceased pilots cannot defend themselves.

India submitted a preliminary report’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 8, 2025, which revealed that the fuel control switches were moved shortly after take-off. It was not clear from the cockpit voice recordings if the action was conducted by any or both pilots or if it was the result of a mechanical problem.[1]

The speculations, actions taken, and reportage are deeply concerning.[3,4] The media alleged that it was a deliberate action of one of the pilots. They cited that he had episodes of depression following his mother’s passing in 2022 and had taken medical leave. They hint that planning retirement and expressing the desire to care for his elderly father are signs of emotional strain, suggesting, without evidence, that these could have led to suicidal intent. The investigators started examining the medical records of the pilot to determine the validity of the allegation.

The reporting shows a dearth of understanding regarding mental health. They focused on risk factors and assumed the outcomes without any evidence. Do normal people not grieve? Does a history of depression make people unfit for work even after many years? Does clearance after a medical examination conducted at regular intervals for pilots not mean anything? Do they not know that in India, caring for parents is seen as a duty and a blessing, and not a burden? Do they not know that having a dependent and responsibility to care is a protective and not a risk factor for suicide?

It is good that pilot associations have rejected the idea of suicide and called it an insensitive and reckless speculation, urging for an unbiased and thorough enquiry. The final report is pending, and the whole truth is not known. However, it is quite clear that influential voices like the media believe that sensationalizing mental illness can drown public attention in the echoes of stigma. Sadly, the pattern of scapegoating mental illness in aviation disasters is not new. They had blamed the mental health of pilots for crashes like that of Germanwings 9525, Egypt Air 990, LAM 470, SilkAir 185, and MH370, when it was established only in the case of Germanwings 9525.[5]

We, health care workers, should hold the media accountable to their own norms of journalistic conduct, which are to respect confidentiality and privacy, educate with correct information, avoid misinformation, discrimination, sensationalizing, and stereotyping.[6,7] We should advocate for regulators to ensure processes in airline companies to build a culture of trust, such that pilots feel safe reporting mental and physical health conditions in themselves and their peers to ensure better care and safe flight operations.[8] In the absence of such an environment, it is difficult to study and address the mental health of people in the occupation of airline pilots.[9,10]

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.