‘Incorrect and Speculative’: AAIB Rejects Italian Report Blaming Pilot For Air India AI-171 Crash
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday dismissed media reports claiming that the investigation into the June 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI-171 had concluded and blamed the pilot for the tragedy.
In an official statement, the AAIB said the investigation is still ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached.
“The investigation is still in progress. No final conclusions have been reached,” the agency said, urging media organisations to avoid premature speculation that could create public anxiety and affect the integrity of the probe.
What Triggered The Clarification?
The clarification comes after an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported that investigators had determined the crash was caused by an “intentional act” rather than a technical defect. The report cited unnamed sources and claimed that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had been identified as the primary suspect.
The article also suggested that US experts assisting in the investigation described the findings as a “breakthrough.”
However, the AAIB has termed such reports as “incorrect and speculative.”
Investigation Still Underway
The AAIB stated that aircraft accident investigations are technical, evidence-based processes carried out under:
- The Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025
- India’s international obligations under ICAO Annex 13
The bureau emphasised that the preliminary report, released in July 2025, only provided factual information available at that stage and did not assign blame.
The final report, which will include conclusions and safety recommendations, will be published once the investigation is complete.
About The AI-171 Crash
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI-171 crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in June 2025.
- Total fatalities: 260
- Passengers and crew onboard: 242
- Ground casualties: Individuals in a nearby medical students’ hostel
- Survivors: One passenger
The preliminary findings had indicated that the aircraft’s fuel control switches were moved from “run” to “cut-off” in the final moments. Cockpit voice recordings also captured exchanges between the pilots, but no definitive conclusions were drawn in the interim report.
AAIB’s Commitment To Transparency
The investigation authority reiterated its commitment to:
- Procedural integrity
- Transparency
- International safety standards
- Accurate determination of root causes
The bureau stressed that accident investigations are conducted to improve aviation safety — not to assign blame prematurely.
Officials have urged the public and media outlets to wait for the final report before drawing conclusions about the cause of the crash.
