India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has strongly refuted a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that suggested pilot error—specifically the alleged actions of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal—was a likely cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad. The AAIB has called the report selective, unverified, and premature, warning that such speculation risks compromising the integrity of an ongoing international investigation.
Key Points from AAIB's Response:
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The preliminary findings released by AAIB were intended to establish factual information about what occurred—not assign blame.
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The final report, which will include the root cause analysis and safety recommendations, is still months away, and the public is urged to avoid forming early conclusions.
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The bureau emphasized the emotional trauma faced by families of victims and said sensationalism in reporting at this stage was irresponsible.
What the Wall Street Journal Claimed:
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Citing unnamed US officials familiar with the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), WSJ claimed that Captain Sabharwal manually moved the fuel control switches from “run” to “cutoff” seconds after takeoff.
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The report alleges that First Officer Clive Kunder, who had over 3,400 flying hours, panicked and questioned the captain’s action immediately.
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According to the WSJ, Captain Sabharwal remained “calm” even as the aircraft crashed into a residential doctors' hostel attached to BJ Medical College.
What the AAIB Report Actually Said:
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The fuel control switches were found to have flipped from “run” to “cutoff” within a second of each other, effectively shutting down both engines.
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The preliminary report did not attribute the switch movement to pilot action, nor did it assign responsibility to any crew member.
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It mentions a pilot asking the other about the fuel cutoff, but no full transcript has been publicly released.
Industry and Government Reactions:
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Aviation experts have noted that accidental switching of both fuel controls is highly unlikely due to safety interlocks and physical design.
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Air India has conducted inspections across its Boeing 787 fleet and found no mechanical faults with the locking mechanisms of fuel switches.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterated that this was a preliminary report, and a final determination would likely take up to a year.
Larger Implications:
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The incident has triggered public anxiety and online speculation, but the AAIB cautioned against damaging trust in India’s civil aviation safety regime.
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The case also reflects growing concern over media handling of high-stakes aviation investigations, especially when facts remain under examination.
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The scrutiny on India’s aviation system is expected to intensify internationally, making it imperative for authorities to maintain transparency and procedural rigor.
Summary:
While the WSJ’s report alleges pilot error in the Air India 171 crash, India’s AAIB insists that no conclusions should be drawn yet, calling the claims unverified and potentially misleading. With the final investigation still ongoing, aviation officials urge restraint, respect for the victims' families, and patience until evidence-based conclusions are formally released.
