Air India Crash Investigation Delays Final Report

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India announced on its 52nd‑day anniversary of the Air India flight AI171 crash that significant progress has been made in the examination of evidence, but the final report remains unfinished. The tragic event, which occurred on 12 June 2025 shortly after take‑off from Sardar Vallabh‑Bhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, killed all but one of the 242 persons on board and 19 people on the ground, making it the deadliest aviation accident in India.

The crude preliminary report released last year indicated that, within seconds of departure, fuel‑control switches were abruptly moved to the cut‑off position, starving the engines of fuel and causing complete power loss. Audio recordings from the cockpit captured the break‑in dialogue between the two pilots, with one asking the other why he had done it, the other replying that he had not—yet investigators have not identified which pilot made either statement.

The Australia of the voice‑recording and the subsequent media focus on Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, senior pilot on the flight, led to accusations that the senior pilot deliberately cut fuel flow. Indian pilots’ associations denounced the coverage, insisting the investigation’s purpose is safety, not blame. Sabharwal’s father later affirmed his determination to defend his son’s reputation, noting that pilots are often blamed after such incidents.

The AAIB reiterated that the final report will be released only after completion of all investigative activities and the required international review and consultation processes. It stressed that the investigation aims to enhance aviation safety by identifying lessons and safety recommendations, not to attribute blame or liability. The bureau confirmed that it is providing regular updates in line with ICAO guidelines and is keeping the public informed through this anniversary notice.