Air India’s CEO has confirmed that no mechanical or maintenance faults were found in the Boeing 787-8 aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad last month, killing 260 people. The London-bound flight AI171 went down shortly after takeoff on 12 June. Only one passenger survived out of the 242 onboard.
In an internal memo, CEO Campbell Wilson stated that all systems, engines, and pre-flight safety checks — including breathalyser tests for both pilots — were cleared. The aircraft’s fuel quality and takeoff roll also showed no abnormalities.
Despite this, the investigation has taken a baffling turn. The preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that both fuel cutoff switches were flipped to “off” moments after takeoff, shutting down the engines mid-air. However, voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been cut — with the second pilot responding that he hadn’t done it.
Aviation experts and pilots’ associations have questioned whether human error is to blame. The cockpit switches are not easy to flip accidentally, experts say, and are typically only used after landing or in emergencies. U.S. aviation analysts have called the findings “deeply concerning” and “highly irregular.”
Grieving families of the victims, including many British nationals, say the report raises more questions than it answers. The UK government has pledged to review the findings in full. Meanwhile, South Korea is moving to re-inspect fuel switches on its Boeing fleet, citing a 2018 FAA advisory that was never mandated.
With calls for transparency mounting and no clear cause confirmed, the investigation remains ongoing. Families demand accountability — and a promise that such a tragedy will never be repeated.
