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The Hindu
25-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
The dark side of flying: fear of grounding deters pilots from seeking help for mental health concerns
A day after the world saw live visuals of Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft turn into a massive fire ball 32 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad for London on June 12, a pilot commanding the Air India Delhi- Frankfurt flight suffered a panic attack as he lined up the aircraft on the runway. The pilot, who was operating the same type of aircraft involved in the crash, a Boeing 787, promptly returned it to the boarding gate after informing the air traffic control that a crew onboard had fallen ill. A few days later, a young First Officer, also on Air India's Boeing 787 aircraft, reported sick for his flight as he couldn't sleep before his duty as his mind kept replaying the different scenarios that may have occurred inside the cockpit moments before the worst air accident in the country in three decades in which 260 people were charred to death. 'I was on a downward spiral,' the young pilot told The Hindu on condition of anonymity. The last message he had exchanged with the First Officer on the AI flight, Clive Kundar, the social media feed and the relentless television coverage 'weighed a little heavy on me,' he said. He and a few friends 'cried it out' as an exercise in collective purging to cope with the tragedy that had struck their close colleagues. In the days following the crash, many First Officers and cabin crew would report sick as they battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Heightened safety concerns prompted many passengers too to cancel their Air India bookings.. This along with a combination of other factors that included additional checks ordered by the DGCA forced Air India to take a 'safety pause' and reduce international flights by 15% for a few weeks. The airline also reached out to pilots and cabin crew offering them peer support, as well as an in-house psychologist in case of mental health concerns. The trauma among the crew post the crash and suggestions of deliberate pilot action resulting in a crash have once again brought under focus the mental health of Indian pilots who are known to be under tremendous stress because of a multitude of factors which include occupational challenges as well as systemic failures that excessively penalise the cockpit crew. But one of the dark secrets of the industry remains the reluctance among pilots to access medical help for mental health concerns because of a perception that they may either be grounded leading to loss of pay, or their licence will be cancelled. 'Some airlines provide pilots with relatively stable rosters, but in many others, unpredictable schedules and inadequate notice of changes disrupt personal routines, making it difficult to plan family or social time,' says Captain Subhashish Majumdar, a former airline executive and senior commander with long-haul international flying experience. 'In many organisations even casual leave requires prior sanction or has to be justified with documentary evidence , and calling in sick at the last moment can lead to administrative scrutiny. Additionally, time-zone changes, graveyard shifts and night flying can leave a pilot's body clock out of sync for days.' Majumdar acknowledges that he personally benefited from a stable schedule during much of his career. But many others -- especially those flying high-frequency domestic sectors across the industry -- face relentless rosters and consecutive layovers that leave little room for rest or meaningful family engagement. 'Pilots across airlines speak of strained relationships, missed birthdays and school events, and the emotional fatigue of being physically present but emotionally distant.' Over time, the cumulative toll of such schedules can strain personal bonds and foster a sense of isolation. Within aviation circles, this phenomenon is informally referred to as Aviation-Induced Divorce Syndrome. Another challenge is the growing reliance on digital crew management systems. While efficient for record-keeping and cost control, these often lack the human touch. 'Raising tickets on apps or sending emails that go unanswered only increases frustration,' Majumdar explains. 'There's a big difference between being able to lift the phone and speak to someone empathetic, versus dealing with a faceless interface that offers no timely resolution. The absence of human engagement adds to the anxiety.' He acknowledges, however, the pressure airline managements face. 'This is a cost-sensitive industry, with wafer-thin margins, volatile input costs, and fierce competition. Managements walk a tightrope between viability and crew welfare. But passengers must also realise that improving pilot working conditions, safety buffers, and quality of life may ultimately require a willingness to absorb higher airfares.' Despite growing awareness of mental health issues post-pandemic, many pilots remain reluctant to seek help for anxiety, depression, or burnout—not just due to social stigma, but out of fear that disclosure could affect their medical clearance and earning capacity. 'The concern is real,' says Majumdar. 'Even if stigma is easing, the consequences of seeking help are uncertain. In a profession where medical fitness determines livelihood, that becomes a serious deterrent.' Indeed, a study in 2022 by William Hoffman, a US-based neurologist with interest in pilot health care behaviour found that 56.1% of the 3,765 U.S. pilots who participated in a survey reported a 'history of healthcare avoidance behaviour' due to a 'fear of losing their aeromedical certificate'. Indian pilots too speak of complicated, lengthy and inefficient regulatory processes that in some cases have led to year-long groundings for misdiagnoses deterring pilots from reporting medical concerns. The situation is likely to worsen for mental health concerns, exacerbated by stigma and a lack of clear guidance from regulators. In February 2023, the DGCA issued a circular on 'mental health promotion' for flight crew and air traffic controllers, mandating airlines, charter operators, and flying schools to establish non-punitive peer-support programmes to encourage self-reporting. DGCA-empanelled doctors, who conduct pilots' annual medical exams, were directed to use a 29-question questionnaire to assess cognitive functions and alertness. Pilots with a poor score have to be referred to the DGCA's Medical Directorate. On July 22, 2025, the DGCA reminded empanelled doctors to use the questionnaire. 'Some of us have since enquired the DGCA on how we are to grade pilots and whether it is to be done on a scale of 1 to 10 or alphabetically. We also need to know what is the protocol to be followed if and when we find a concern,' says Sangeeta Kujur, a DGCA-empanelled examiner and former Chief Medical Officer at Air India Express where she set up the peer support programme for the airline. But the medical circular provides no details to pilots about what this scrutiny may entail, and for which conditions. Since the Germanwings crash of March 2015, deliberately caused by the first officer Andreas Lubitz who had been previously treated for suicidal tendencies and declared unfit to work by his doctor ,which he kept from his employer, regulators around the world have overhauled their policies. Europe introduced a pilot medical database, random health checks, and peer support programmes. The FAA clarified that mental health issues rarely disqualify pilots (0.1% rejection rate), listing conditions like psychosis and bipolar disorder that do. The FAA's 2016 Pilot Fitness Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommended peer support, enhanced training for medical examiners, approved new medications that can be taken during active flying, and public campaigns to reduce mental health stigma, alongside maintaining a safe medication list for pilots. MESAFE, an EASA-funded project under the EU's Horizon Europe, recognises pilots' reluctance to self-report mental health issues due to systemic shortcomings. It advocates Peer Support Programs that extend beyond medical interventions, and foster a mental well-being culture within a just-culture work environment. The project emphasises reporting and mitigating organisational stressors impacting the mental health of safety-critical aviation personnel. ( Mental health helplines across the country can be accessed here)
American Military News
17-07-2025
- General
- American Military News
New mystery revealed in major Air India crash, report shows
An investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed last month in India and left 260 people dead has revealed a mysterious audio recording of the aircraft's two pilots after the Dreamliner suddenly lost fuel shortly after the plane departed on its flight. According to Fox Business, a preliminary report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Saturday revealed that the Dreamliner's fuel control switches were mysteriously flipped to the 'cutoff' position, which prevented the engines from having the proper supply of fuel. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's report indicated that the cockpit voice recorder captured a recording of one pilot asking the other pilot why he 'did' the 'cutoff,' prompting the other pilot to say that 'he did not do so,' according to Fox Business. The outlet noted that the report did not identify which voice belonged to Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the aircraft's pilot, and which voice belonged to Clive Kundar, the aircraft's co-pilot. Fox Business reported that investigators discovered that the aircraft's fuel control switches were flipped from 'run' to 'cutoff' shortly after the Dreamliner completed liftoff. Investigators also discovered that both of the aircraft's fuel control switches were set to the 'run' position at the site of the crash, which indicates that the Dreamliner's engines had been relit in an attempt to prevent the airplane from crashing. READ MORE: Video/Pic: Sole survivor walks away from plane crash that left 200+ dead in India The Daily Wire reported that aviation experts have confirmed that the airplane's 'cutoff' switch is not something that can be flipped accidentally. Ira Astrachan, a former captain for Delta Air Lines, told The Daily Wire that an airplane's fuel switch can only be put into the 'cutoff' position by 'manually activating the switch, which generally requires two fingers plus your thumb.' 'There is no physical way to move the switches from one position to the other by simply pushing them up or down like a typical household light switch,' Astrachan added. According to a memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson informed the airline's staff members last week that the investigation into last month's airplane crash is 'far from over.' The CEO encouraged staff members to avoid theoretical conclusions regarding the cause of the crash. Wilson stated, 'Over the past 30 days, we've seen an ongoing cycle of theories, allegations, rumours and sensational headlines, many of which have later been disproven.'
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Air India captain ‘cut off' fuel to engines
The captain of the crashed Air India jet likely cut off the fuel supply before it crashed in Ahmedabad, US officials believe. The first officer, who was flying the Boeing 787-9, questioned why the captain had moved switches to the cut-off position, according to a US assessment of the black-box data. The first officer reportedly expressed surprise and panicked, while the captain remained calm, the Wall Street Journal reported. It follows a preliminary report released by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) that found that switches controlling fuel flow to the jet's two engines were turned off, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust at take-off. According to the report, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why 'did you cut off' the fuel supply in the recovered cockpit voice recording. The other pilot responded that he 'didn't'. It was not previously clear who said what. However, sources in the US who have reviewed the cockpit voice recordings told the Wall Street Journal that it was the captain who was questioned about why he cut off fuel to engines. The switches were moved in succession, one second apart, according to the report. Some 10 seconds later, the switches were turned back on. The report did not say whether the switches may have been turned off accidentally or deliberately. Sumeet Sabharwal, the captain, and Clive Kundar, the co-pilot had more than 9,000 hours of flying time between them. On Sunday, The Telegraph revealed that Air India crash investigators are examining the medical records of Mr Sabharwal amid claims that he suffered from depression and mental health problems. Captain Sabharwal, 56, who had been considering leaving the airline to look after his elderly father following the death of his mother in 2022. All but one of 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed when the aircraft plunged into a medical student hostel in a built-up suburb last month, less than a minute after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. In the moments before the disaster, Mr Sabharwal issued a mayday call. However, after the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of barely 400ft above the runway all contact was lost. The plane then fell towards the ground and exploded on impact. Campbell Wison, the Air India chief executive, said in a staff memo that the report had 'triggered a new round of speculation in the media'. Mr Wilson said the report identified no cause nor made any recommendations and urged people to avoid drawing premature conclusions as investigation was far from over. The crash was the first fatal accident involving Boeing's Dreamliner. However, the airline had already suffered reputational damage after a string of safety and quality problems. The Dreamliner, which entered service in 2011, is popular among commercial airlines and is commonly used on international long-haul routes.
Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
All we know about horror Air India crash - engine fault to cockpit confusion
Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport after signal was lost as the investigation continues At least 240 people, including 53 Brits, were on board an Air India flight bound for Gatwick Airport before it crashed. Air India flight AI171 smashed into the ground shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after signal was lost. The airline confirmed that passengers on its flight AI171 included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. There were also 12 crew members onboard. Of the 242 people onboard flight AI171 to London Gatwick on 12 June, 241 were killed. The black box from the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner has since been recovered, raising questions as to how the plane crashed shortly after taking off at 9.50am local time. A preliminary report into the investigation, published on July 12 in India, found that just seconds after take-off, fuel-control switches abruptly moved to the "cut-off" position, starving the engines of fuel and triggering total power loss. When and where did the crash happen? In a statement at the time, Air India said: "Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take off. "The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals. "The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident." The flight was airborne for less than 40 seconds. One of the pilots submitted a mayday call just before the plane crashed in a crowded neighbourhood. The plane plummeted into a building used as doctors' accommodation at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital, causing an explosion. It was lunch break at the hostel when parts of the aircraft crashed through the roof of the dining hall. What has the report discovered so far? The report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that fuel to the engines of the plane were cut off moments after take off. In recovered cockpit voice recordings, the report said one of the pilots can be heard asking "why did you cut off?" - to which the other pilot replied he "did not do so". The Gatwick-bound plane was being piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar. The report does not specify which voice is which. According to data from the flight recorder, both of the plane's fuel control switches moved from the run to the cut-off position in the space of a second, shortly after take-off. The switches are usually turned off once a plane has landed in its destination, or during emergency situations like an engine fire. The cut-off caused both engines to lose thrust, the AAIB report said. The fuel switches then moved back into their normal in-flight position, automatically starting the process of relighting the engines. One engine, the report said, was able to regain thrust - but could not reverse the plane's deceleration. The report also said: "At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers". The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin in 2019 highlighting that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged, the report said. A final, more detailed report is expected in 12 months. Air India and Boeing's response An Air India spokesperson said the airline acknowledged receipt of the preliminary report. "We continue to fully co-operate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses. Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such enquiries to the AAIB," the Air India spokesperson added. The airline has since announced a cut in international operations on its wide-body aircraft as it deals with disruptions in the aftermath of the crash. In a statement, Boeing said it would defer to AAIB to provide information about the crashed plane, in adherence with protocol under the UN International Civil Aviation Organization. It also said it continued to support the investigation and its customer, Air India. Sole survivor "I still cannot believe how I made it out alive," the sole survivor of the crash, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who was sat in seat 11A, told India's state broadcaster DD News. The British National had been on the plane with his brother Ajay, who did not survive the crash. "At first, I thought I was going to die. I managed to open my eyes, unfastened my seat belt and tried to exit the plane." Mr Ramesh said the side of the plane that he was sitting on did not hit the hostel and was closer to the ground floor. "My door broke down and I saw a small space," he said. "I tried to get out of the plane." The Foreign Office has been in contact with Mr Ramesh "to offer consular support", Downing Street said.
News18
12-07-2025
- General
- News18
Pilots Were 'Medically Fit, Rested & Had Adequate Experience': Air India Crash Probe Report
The report pointed to pilot error or possible sabotage, as it said fuel supply to the engines was cut off, leading to the crash The pilots flying the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed moments after takeoff from the Ahmedabad airport, were 'medically fit and rested, with adequate experience on the type" of aircraft, the preliminary probe report revealed on Saturday. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, which said the credentials of the pilots were clear, also revealed the final cockpit conversation between 56-year-old Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and 32-year-old First Officer Clive Kundar, both of whom were killed in the crash. The report clearly stated that fuel supply to the engines was cut off, leading to the crash. It says the 'Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of one second". This seems to point to a pilot error or possibly sabotage, as there are safety rails across both sides of the fuel cutoff switches to avoid any accidental touch. 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report notes as a crucial detail. Though the pilots tried to relight the engines, it was too late and there was simply not enough time to avoid a crash. The probe so far has also ruled out a possible bird hit for the engines turning off. view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 10:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
