India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is continuing its investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI171, firmly denying that the case has been closed or that final conclusions have been reached. The agency has rejected as incorrect and speculative various media reports presenting a definitive cause for the accident.
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on a scheduled flight to London, resulting in 260 fatalities and becoming one of the most serious air disasters in India in recent years. A preliminary phase of the investigation has focused on data from the flight recorders and on the movement of the engine fuel control switches in the cockpit.
Certain publications have advanced scenarios pointing to pilot error or intentional action, linking these to the fuel-control switches. The AAIB and Indian aviation authorities emphasize that such characterizations are premature and that no official finding has been made regarding pilot responsibility or motive. Investigators are also examining potential technical and operational factors, in cooperation with international partners including US and manufacturer representatives.
No urgent safety recommendations have yet been issued for Boeing 787-8 operators or for the GE GEnx-1B engines. The investigation remains ongoing within the framework of international accident investigation standards, with further analytical work required before any final report is issued.