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Pilots Ground Themselves After Tragic Air India Crash: What’s Happening?

Four days after Air India Flight 171 fell into a populated area, killing all 260 people on board, the airline found itself in another crisis. 112 of its pilots suddenly called in sick. Was this incident a coordinated protest? Was this a manifestation of a psychological breakdown? Could it be a case of fatigued pilots opting not to take off in secure circumstances?  

The incident has renewed discussions around pilot fatigue, airline ineffectiveness, and aviation safety in India. With the Boeing 787 Dreamliner under the microscope and pilots talking anonymously, this issue of sick leave may be more than standard protocol.

The Crash that Initiated the Crisis

On June 16, 2025, Air India’s Ahmedabad-Delhi flight (AI-171) lost power mid-air and crashed into a building. It was India’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade. The first reports included details that were chilling. 

Both fuel cutoff switches were manually turned off, almost an impossibility in an accident. The black box recordings included confusing exchanges between pilots before the crash.

Boeing and the DGCA (India’s civil aviation regulator) are investigating the possibility of mechanical sabotage or human error.

The Sick Leave Surge: Protest or Burnout?

On June 16, Air India’s operations were disrupted when 112 pilots (51 captains and 61 first officers) reported sick. Sources reveal no formal strike was declared, but the timing suggested silent dissent. Pilots cited stress, sleep deprivation, and lack of mental health support. 

Air India’s fatigue management system has been criticized for scheduling pilots beyond legal flight-hour limits. 

An anonymous pilot told The Indian Express that after the crash, they were expected to fly the same model the next day. 

Aviation’s Silent Mental Health Epidemic 

Pilots operate under immense psychological pressure, yet mental health remains taboo in aviation.  There are required psychological checks by the DGCA, but pilots won’t go to therapy out of fear of losing their license. 

The pilots' union at Air India demanded improved counseling and rest breaks, but the airlines prioritize flight schedules over the mental health of its employees. 

Dr. Rina Kapoor, an aviation psychologist, cautions that neglecting pilots' mental health poses a significant risk.

Pilot Mask Sick Leave Follows Dreamliner Tragedy 

AAIB and the government pulled up media speculation about the switches and a part of the last conversation of the pilots  Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and Flight Officer Clive Kunder - where one of them asks the other if they had switched the fuel supply off (they answer 'no').

The aviation investigator said the reports were unverified and irresponsible.

The media reports led by the Wall Street Journal were also pulled up by the National Transportation Safety Board, which is assisting the AAIB on this matter.

Wake-Up Call for Aviation  

The 112 sick leaves were more than a staffing crisis. They were a desperate plea for change. As investigations continue, one truth is clear: pilots need better support, not just stricter rules.  Will airlines listen, or will the next headline be another tragedy?