The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, has said there is a “strong argument” for installing video cameras in aircraft cockpits to aid accident investigations.

Speaking on Wednesday following the release of a preliminary report into last month’s deadly Air India crash, Walsh a former commercial pilot acknowledged pilots' concerns over cockpit surveillance but suggested video could be a vital investigative tool.

“On a personal basis as this hasn’t been formally discussed at IATA. I believe there’s a strong case for including video recording in the cockpit to support accident investigations,” Walsh told reporters. “It’s quite possible that video, in addition to audio recordings, could significantly help investigators.”

His comments come days after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was en route from Ahmedabad to London.

The report revealed that the aircraft’s engine fuel switches had been turned off during flight. Although the report did not assign blame or reach definitive conclusions, it noted a cockpit exchange where one pilot questioned the other about shutting off the fuel, and the second pilot responded that he had not done so.

The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board, along with 19 individuals on the ground.

When asked whether IATA would recommend design changes to prevent accidental deactivation of critical systems like fuel switches, Walsh said it was too early to draw conclusions.

“I think it's important to allow investigators to complete a thorough and independent inquiry. We must wait for the full report before taking any action,” he said.

Still, Walsh commended the AAIB for the level of detail in the initial report, calling it “more informative than most would have expected.”

The findings have fueled speculation among independent aviation experts that the crash may have been caused by either a deliberate or unintentional pilot action.