Government Says No Delay in Air India Crash Investigation
New Delhi–The investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad is proceeding without delay and in accordance with established procedures, the Ministry of Civil Aviation told Parliament on Monday.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the ministry said investigations into major aviation accidents involve numerous variables and factors, making it impossible to set a fixed deadline for the final report.
“The timeline for completing a major air accident investigation cannot be predicted,” the ministry said.
Officials said investigators are examining all possible causes and contributing factors, and no final conclusions have been reached.
The ministry also said the complete Thrust Control Module is currently being inspected at the original equipment manufacturer’s facility as part of the investigation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is conducting the investigation transparently, the ministry said, adding that all probable causes of the June 12, 2025, crash are being examined.
The AAIB published its preliminary investigation report on July 12, 2025. An interim statement required under International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 was issued on June 12, 2026.
“As per the ICAO Annex 13 requirements, the interim statement has been published by AAIB on June 12, 2026. The final investigation report will be published after completion of the investigation,” the ministry said.
Air India Flight AI-171, traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed within 35 seconds of takeoff on June 12, 2025. The crash killed 260 people, including 241 people aboard the aircraft and 19 people on the ground. One passenger survived.
The preliminary AAIB report said both engines lost thrust after the aircraft’s fuel control switches moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF.” According to the cockpit voice recording, one pilot asked the other why he had cut off the fuel, while the other pilot denied doing so.
The switches were subsequently returned to the “RUN” position shortly before the aircraft crashed.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has cautioned against drawing conclusions from the preliminary findings and said the public should wait for the final investigation report. (Source: IANS)
