The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has reported “significant progress” in its ongoing probe into the crash of Air India flight AI171, which went down in Ahmedabad a year ago, killing 241 of the 242 passengers on board as well as 19 people on the ground. The London-bound international service had departed from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, 2025, when it crashed shortly after take-off, becoming one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
The ill-fated flight, operated by Air India using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed just 32 seconds after becoming airborne. One passenger survived the incident under circumstances described as miraculous, while emergency response teams rushed to the site amid widespread devastation on the ground.
In its statement issued on Friday, the AAIB said the investigation has involved an extensive and multi-layered examination of technical, operational, organisational, and human factors linked to the crash. The agency added that it has worked with accredited representatives, technical advisers, and subject-matter experts, and has reviewed flight recorder data, engine components, maintenance logs, and operational records in detail.
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A key focus of the preliminary findings released earlier was the movement of both engine fuel control switches from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” seconds before impact. The AAIB had confirmed this detail in its initial report issued in July last year but had not determined how or why the switches were moved, nor did it assign responsibility to any individual or system failure at that stage.
The investigation body reiterated that its work remains ongoing, with further technical evaluations and specialist examinations being conducted wherever necessary. It said all findings will continue to be cross-verified through scientific analysis to ensure accuracy and completeness. The crash has drawn sustained global attention due to its implications for aviation safety standards and the operational integrity of the Boeing 787 fleet, while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau continues to withhold final conclusions pending further analysis.
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