Perhaps pilot got the boot because he ignored earlier warning signs. (e.g. "fuel warning light XXX illuminated" - "don't worry about that mate, it always does that for the first 5 minutes"). Sacking such a pilot prior to investigation outcomes is just an exercise in prudence in public relations for any company. Same happens in every company and industry worldwide. It's a "you can see we made immediate changes, someone was sacked, justice was done etc." More cynical people may make alternate judgements!
I'm one of your cynical people
AF. When a company is so quick to sack someone following an event the suspicion of what they are trying to cover up arises, for me at least. If someone habitually flouts standards the company should know about it, and address it. If they don't know it indicates a serious flaw in oversight by management. Either way its a corporate failure. If its a one off by a previously reliable employee you find out the why and address that. Bristow helicopters had a one off event in WA and sacking the crew, both of whom had impeccable records previously, was the corporate solution. Court case arose for unfair dismissal, which the crew won, and at least one of the crew resumed employment, not sure of the other. Lloyd Helicopters had a similar case in WA where sacking the captain was the solution, even though the report details the lack of training was a significant cause. he too won an unfair dismissal case. The fact that he won is still to this day a canker in the side of some who were in management at the time, they blame him as being the sole cause of the accident. The company had decided sending crews to the US for simulator training was not commercially viable. So much for learning, if you think training is expensive try having an accident. Views have since changed in some areas of GA from those evident in this 17 year old accident.
Lloyds
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24790/199100020.pdf
Bristow
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24791/199100126.pdf
Will be an interesting report, particularly as the pilot in this Skippers incident was so readily snapped up by another employer. Innocent until proven guilty.
There is a tale in the corporate world where an individual cost the company a bucket load of money because of an errant decision. A flunky sidled up to the company owner at a function and commented, "Well, that's him for the chop then". Owner replied, "What, after all the money I just spent on his education".