A year on, six questions still haunt the Air India crash investigation

A year after Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, investigators still cannot definitively explain the cause. A preliminary report indicated that fuel-control switches moved to "cut-off" seconds after take-off, leading to total power loss. Cockpit audio captured a pilot questioning the other about this action, with the response being "I did not," deepening the mystery. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is continuing analysis of flight recorder data, aircraft systems, and other factors, with the delay suggesting multiple possibilities are still being weighed. The investigation has become controversial, with speculation about pilot actions drawing criticism from pilots' groups and victims' families who urge a focus on the aircraft's technical condition.

On the first anniversary of the Air India crash that killed 260 people, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) stated that "significant progress" has been made in the investigation. The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London. A preliminary report from July 2025 indicated that fuel-control switches moved to the "cut-off" position seconds after takeoff, causing total power loss. Cockpit recordings captured a conversation between pilots regarding the switch's movement, with one pilot denying having moved it. While the AAIB has not provided a completion date for the final report, media reports citing unnamed sources have suggested that new details are focusing attention on the senior pilot.

One year after Air India Flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, families of victims are still awaiting a final report. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, reaching an altitude of 625 feet before impacting a residential area. A preliminary report suggested the fuel supply to the engines was cut off, raising questions about pilot error or a malfunction, but did not offer definitive conclusions. Indian authorities are expected to release an interim report soon, as a final report is delayed pending further analysis of the aircraft's engines. The sole survivor on board received compensation from Air India, but it is unclear if other families have received similar payments.

One year after Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing 241 people, bereaved families are still seeking answers and closure. The flight, destined for Gatwick, struck a medical college, resulting in the deaths of passengers and individuals on the ground. Relatives report facing "roadblocks" from Air India when trying to obtain information about the crash investigation, which has yet to publish its final conclusions. Families are struggling with the profound loss and the emotional impact on children, while also facing practical challenges in rebuilding their lives. They are calling for justice and updates on the investigation, emphasizing the difficulty of moving forward without clear answers.