Six Months On, Air India Dreamliner Crash Remains a Mystery.
Six months after Air India Flight 171 crashed near Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, investigators have yet to provide definitive answers, sparking disputes between pilots, the airline, and Boeing.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off on June 12 with 230 passengers and 12 crew members, bound for London. Less than a minute later, it crashed into a medical university campus, exploding into flames. Only one passenger survived, while 19 people on the ground also died. Victims included 200 Indians, 52 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
The preliminary AAIB report released in July revealed that fuel supply switches for both engines were almost simultaneously turned off shortly after takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder captured a pilot asking why the fuel had been cut, with the co-pilot denying responsibility. Less than 10 seconds later, the switches were turned back on, and a Mayday was transmitted before the crash. The report does not clarify whether this was due to pilot error or a technical fault.
The findings triggered controversy. Pilot associations and families argue the report focuses on the deceased pilots, while ignoring possible mechanical or maintenance issues. Some experts, including lawyer Sarah Stewart and former pilot Amit Singh, suggest the crash could have resulted from uncommanded fuel cut-off or prior electrical faults, echoing concerns about Boeing’s systems. Aviation analyst Mark Martin has warned of a potential cover-up, comparing it to the 737 MAX crashes, where pilots were initially blamed.
Meanwhile, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson insists the preliminary report shows no fault with the aircraft or airline operations. The investigation continues, with families and experts demanding clarity on whether the tragedy was caused by human error or a mechanical malfunction.
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