Air India 787 crash investigation
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people on board and on the ground, with one survivor. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), assisted by the US NTSB and UK’s AAIB, leads the probe.
Preliminary reports indicate the fuel control switches for both engines were deliberately turned to the “cut-off” position seconds after takeoff, causing a total power loss despite no mechanical or maintenance issues. Cockpit audio reveals confusion, with the first officer questioning Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who denied flipping the switches while they were under his control.
Investigation Focus
Early scrutiny targeted engine thrust, wing flaps, landing gear, and Air India’s maintenance, but shifted to the captain’s actions and potential intentional disabling of engines. No faults found in fuel switches on other Air India 787s, and GE Aerospace is analyzing data from the recovered black boxes. The final report, expected in a year or more, will clarify pilot intent, mental health, or procedural lapses.
