The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has issued a formal clarification regarding the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171. Officials have dismissed recent media claims that the disaster was an intentional act as incorrect and speculative. The investigation into the incident, which occurred in June 2025, is still officially underway and no final reports have been released yet.
Major Facts and Official Data Regarding the AI171 Disaster
| Incident Date | June 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Route | Ahmedabad to London Gatwick |
| Aircraft Model | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) |
| Total Fatalities | 260 (241 on board and 19 on the ground) |
| Crash Location | B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad |
| Sole Survivor | Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (British Citizen) |
| Prominent Victim | Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani |
| Initial Compensation | 1 crore INR per family by Tata Group |
Current Status of the Investigation and Technical Findings
The debate around the crash started again after reports from an Italian newspaper suggested that the fuel switches were moved to the cutoff position on purpose. However, the AAIB stated on February 12, 2026, that these findings are not official. The cockpit voice recorder previously captured one pilot asking why the fuel was cut off, while the other pilot denied doing it. Indian pilot associations and the family of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal have asked the public to wait for the final report and avoid blaming the crew. The investigation is being conducted under international safety rules and usually takes more than a year to complete. The DGCA has already ordered safety checks for all Boeing 787 aircraft in India to ensure there are no technical issues with the fuel switch mechanisms.
