Key Facts
On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground. The aircraft was bound for London Gatwick. One passenger survived. The crash occurred when both engines lost power, and the plane came down on the hostel canteen of BJ Medical College.
Investigation Status
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release a status update on Friday, June 12, 2026, nearly a year after the crash. However, officials say the update will not determine the cause of the accident. Under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a state must publish a final report within a year or issue a progress update. The final report is delayed because the examination of the engines by GE Aerospace in Ohio is still ongoing.
According to a ministry official, the update will outline work completed and areas still under examination, but will not establish the cause. The Federation of Indian Pilots has urged the civil aviation ministry not to issue the update, warning it may deepen confusion.
Conflicting Theories
The central question is whether the fuel to both engines was cut by human action or a technical fault. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why they cut off fuel, and the other pilot denying doing so. The AAIB's preliminary report, released in July 2025, recorded this exchange but did not identify the voices or assign blame.
Western investigators, citing black-box data, have suggested the captain may have moved both fuel switches to cutoff, while the first officer tried to recover the aircraft. However, Indian pilots' associations argue that the crew is being unfairly blamed and that a technical fault is more likely. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was reportedly involved but friction arose between Indian and American investigators.
Impact on Families
Families of the victims are left without closure. Muktiben Vansadiya, who lost both parents in the crash, said, 'There are different versions, but no clear answer. We still do not know what exactly happened.' Air India has offered a final compensation of ₹35 lakh, but signing the indemnity form releases multiple parties from liability, including Boeing and GE Aerospace, before the cause is known.
Site and Memorial
The crash site at BJ Medical College still bears scars. The four hostel buildings remain vacant and damaged. The Gujarat government plans to demolish them and rebuild the complex at a cost of ₹103 crore, with ₹53 crore from the Tata Group. Among the dead was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani.
What Readers Should Know
- The AAIB status update is not a final report and will not establish the cause.
- Engine examination by GE Aerospace is the last outstanding step before the final report.
- Families are divided on accepting compensation that requires waiving future claims.
- The crash remains under investigation, with no definitive answer yet.
FAQ
What happened to Air India flight AI-171?
On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and crew and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
Why has the final report on the AI-171 crash been delayed?
The final report is delayed because the examination of the engines by GE Aerospace in Ohio is still ongoing. Under ICAO rules, a status update must be issued if the final report cannot be released within a year.
What does the cockpit voice recorder reveal about the crash?
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why they cut off fuel to the engine, and the other pilot denying doing so. This has led to conflicting theories about whether the fuel cutoff was intentional or due to a technical fault.
Are the families of the victims receiving compensation?
Air India has offered a final compensation of ₹35 lakh, which includes interim relief already paid. However, signing the indemnity form releases multiple parties from liability, and some families are hesitant to accept without knowing the cause.