Air India Flight 171 Crash That Killed 260: Final Cause Still Unknown Six Months Later
Government confirms probe into Air India Ahmedabad crash that killed 260 is still underway, no final report yet.
The government on Thursday confirmed that the investigation into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June is still ongoing, with no final report released yet. The statement was made in response to an unstarred question in Parliament by MP Shafi Parambil regarding the status and findings of the probe. Authorities emphasized that the inquiry is continuing under a comprehensive framework to determine the causes of the crash.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the probe in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025. While a preliminary report was published in July based on initial evidence, investigators are still examining all possible causes, and conclusions have not yet been drawn.
The crash, involving Air India Flight AI171, claimed the lives of 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew members, with only one passenger surviving. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12. The scale of the tragedy makes it one of the deadliest in India’s recent aviation history, underlining the need for a thorough investigation.
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Addressing concerns about preventive measures, Mohol highlighted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintains a robust aviation safety framework. This includes systematic safety oversight, routine and special audits, spot checks, and enforcement actions for non-compliance, ensuring that operators adhere to prescribed safety standards.
The DGCA also issues an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP), under which various technical directorates carry out regular inspections. Any corrective actions mandated for operators are closely monitored in subsequent audits, and penalties are imposed for violations. Additionally, a special audit has been mandated to strengthen the aviation ecosystem and enhance the overall safety architecture.
While the final findings on the Air India Flight 171 crash are still awaited, the government assured Parliament that continuous efforts are underway to improve aviation safety. Authorities reiterated that all possible angles are being explored to prevent similar incidents in the future and maintain public confidence in air travel.
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