Air India "AI171" crash inquiry delays final report

On 12 June 2025, a Boeing 787‑8 that had flown from Ahmedabad to London crashed seconds after take‑off, killing 241 passengers and crew and an additional 19 people on the ground. One passenger, Viswashkumar Ramesh from Leicester, survived the crash.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) issued an update on the first anniversary of the disaster, announcing "significant progress" in analysing systems, flight‑data recorders and maintenance records. However, officials said the final report will not be released until all investigative work is concluded and international review is completed.

The preliminary report, published last year, identified a sudden movement of fuel‑control switches to a cut‑off position that rendered engines powerless. Recent audio from the cockpit suggested the senior pilot may have triggered the fuel cut‑off, sparking controversy among media outlets and pilot associations.

Pilot‑association representatives and the AAIB stressed that the investigation aims to enhance aviation safety and not to apportion blame. The father of senior pilot Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal has vowed to defend his son’s reputation amid the growing allegations.

With the official report still pending, families and observers continue to demand answers. The AAIB remains committed to a thorough, integrated analysis before any conclusions are published.