One year after the Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said investigators have made significant progress in analysing crucial evidence, including flight recorder data, aircraft systems, engine components, maintenance records, and operational documents. However, the agency cautioned against speculation and urged the public to wait for the final report before drawing conclusions about the cause of the disaster.
In a statement issued on the first anniversary of the tragedy, the AAIB said investigators have spent the past year conducting an extensive examination of technical, operational, organisational, and human factors connected to the crash. The bureau noted that all evidence gathered so far is being analysed in a comprehensive and integrated manner with assistance from accredited representatives, technical advisers, and subject-matter experts.
The London-bound Air India flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a medical hostel shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025. The accident killed 241 people on board and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger, British national Viswashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India's recent history.
Remembering the victims, the AAIB expressed its deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and acknowledged the continuing grief and suffering experienced by those who lost loved ones.
According to sources, the investigation has entered its final phase, and the report is expected to be completed within the next two months. Officials monitoring the probe said the investigation is progressing in the right direction and assured that all findings will be made public once the process is complete.
A preliminary report released last year revealed that the aircraft's engine fuel control switches moved almost simultaneously from the "RUN" position to "CUTOFF" shortly after take-off, cutting fuel supply to both engines. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding this sequence of events and other technical aspects of the crash.
The AAIB emphasised that additional technical evaluations and specialist examinations will continue wherever required to ensure that all findings and conclusions are supported by verified evidence and sound scientific analysis. The bureau reiterated that the investigation remains independent and evidence-driven.
It also stressed that the purpose of an accident investigation is to improve aviation safety by identifying lessons and recommending safety measures, not to assign blame or determine legal liability.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the inquiry is being conducted with diligence and professionalism in accordance with national and international investigation standards. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to transparency and stated that authorities remain focused on carrying out a thorough and objective investigation while working to strengthen aviation safety across the country.
