India’s worst aviation disaster in four decades involving Air India Flight AI 171, which crashed on June 12, 2025, killing 270 people, has entered a new phase of scrutiny. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) interim report released on July 12 found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, in a statement from New Delhi, urged caution against premature assumptions as investigations are ongoing.
Air India, the national carrier owned by the Tata Group, has stated that no mechanical or maintenance issues were found in the fatal crash of flight AI 171, as per the interim investigation report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a division of India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing all 270 people onboard. The incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster involving an Indian airline in four decades.
In a letter to Air India staff on July 14, CEO Campbell Wilson, stated:
The preliminary report identified no cause nor made any recommendations, so I urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over.”
CEO Campbell Wilson, In a letter to Air India staff
The AAIB report confirmed the following:
- No issues were found with the aircraft or its engines.
- All mandatory maintenance checks had been conducted.
- Fuel quality was found to be normal.
- The aircraft’s take-off roll showed no abnormalities.
- Pilots had cleared pre-flight medical and alcohol tests.
However, the report raised a major concern — cockpit voice recordings revealed that both fuel switches were in the “Cutoff” position moments before the crash. A conversation between pilots captured one asking the other why the fuel was cut off, with the latter denying having done so. This unexpected cutoff might have led to the loss of engine thrust during takeoff — a critical phase of flight.
Wilson acknowledged that the findings had sparked “a new round of speculation,” but emphasized that prior rumors and allegations had been disproven. He reiterated the airline’s commitment to transparency, safety, and support for the victims’ families.
Post-crash, Air India conducted a full inspection of its fleet of 23 Boeing 787s, all of which were cleared for operation.
“We continue to perform all necessary checks and will comply with any additional steps authorities may suggest,” Wilson affirmed.
The interim findings, while ruling out mechanical failures, leave the investigation focused on the human and procedural aspects that may have led to the fatal error — a mystery that is yet to be resolved.