NEW DELHI– The government told Parliament on Thursday that all potential factors behind the June 12, 2005 Air India crash in Ahmedabad — which killed more than 241 people on board and several others on the ground — are being thoroughly examined, and that the final investigation report will be released once the probe is complete.
Air India flight AI171 crashed just seconds after takeoff, striking a medical college hostel building and resulting in one of India’s worst aviation disasters.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the probe under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025. “The investigation is in progress,” he said.
A preliminary AAIB report has already been published and is available on the agency’s website. Mohol said the document contains factual information based on evidence available at the early stage of the probe.
“All probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated. The final investigation report will be published after the completion of the investigation,” he told lawmakers.
He added that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintains a systematic safety oversight mechanism to monitor compliance with aviation rules and requirements for airlines and airport operators.
According to the preliminary report, both engines lost thrust after the aircraft’s two fuel cutoff switches moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF.” The cockpit voice recorder revealed that one pilot told the other that he had not turned off the fuel control switches. The switches were returned to “RUN” moments before the aircraft crashed.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has cautioned against drawing conclusions until the final report is released. (Source: IANS)
