The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has officially addressed recent rumors regarding the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171. On February 12, 2026, the bureau released a statement dismissing claims made by international media that the investigation had concluded with a finding of intentional sabotage. Officials termed these reports as “incorrect and speculative,” emphasizing that the probe is still ongoing and no final verdict has been reached regarding the cause of the disaster that occurred in Ahmedabad in June 2025.
What are the new allegations and the official response?
The discussion around the crash was reignited after an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, published a report citing anonymous sources. The report suggested that investigators had concluded the aircraft’s fuel switches were deliberately moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” by the pilot-in-command. This led to theories that the crash was an intentional act rather than a technical failure.
However, the AAIB was quick to reject these claims. They clarified that while preliminary findings from July 2025 did confirm the fuel switches were moved to the “CUTOFF” position three seconds after liftoff, the intent behind this action is not yet proven. The final report, governed by ICAO Annex 13 rules, is still in progress.
Indian pilot associations and the family of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal have strongly criticized the “intentional act” theory. They are demanding more transparency from Boeing and Air India, urging investigators to look deeper into potential technical faults rather than blaming the deceased pilots without final proof.
Key details of the Air India Flight 171 tragedy
- Date and Route: The incident took place on June 12, 2025, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
- The Crash: The plane crashed into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College just 32 to 38 seconds after takeoff.
- Casualties: A total of 260 people lost their lives, including 241 on board and 19 on the ground. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims. Only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived.
- Cockpit Audio: Recordings recovered from the black box captured a chilling exchange where one pilot asked, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” and the other denied doing so.
- Safety Checks: Following the event, the DGCA ordered immediate checks on fuel switch mechanisms for all Boeing 787 aircraft in India.
