Air India AI-171 Crash Probe Ongoing, India Rejects Italian Report Blaming Pilot as Speculative

India’s aviation accident investigators have strongly rejected foreign media claims suggesting that the Air India AI-171 crash was the result of an intentional act by the pilot, calling such reports premature and speculative. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) clarified that the investigation into the 2025 disaster is still underway and no final conclusions have been reached.

The statement came after an Italian newspaper published a report citing unnamed sources that alleged investigators had ruled out technical failure and were preparing a final report attributing responsibility to the pilot. Responding to the claims, Indian authorities emphasised that the inquiry remains a technical and evidence-based process conducted under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and global aviation standards outlined in ICAO Annex 13.

Officials stressed that the purpose of such investigations is to identify root causes and improve aviation safety rather than assign blame prematurely. The bureau warned that speculative reporting can create unnecessary public anxiety and potentially undermine the integrity of an ongoing investigation. It urged media organisations to exercise caution until official findings are released.

The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 occurred in June 2025 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost power and crashed into a medical students’ hostel complex. The tragedy claimed 260 lives, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent decades. Authorities noted that the final report, which will include conclusions and safety recommendations, will be made public only after the investigation is fully completed.

Earlier, the AAIB released a preliminary report that outlined factual observations without attributing responsibility. The document indicated that the aircraft’s fuel control switches moved from the “run” to “cut-off” position moments after take-off, leading to engine power loss. Cockpit voice recordings mentioned in the preliminary findings suggested confusion between the pilots regarding the fuel supply, but investigators refrained from drawing conclusions at that stage.

The Italian report went further by naming the pilot-in-command and suggesting personal factors may have influenced the incident, claims that Indian authorities have neither confirmed nor endorsed. Officials reiterated that only the final investigation report will establish definitive findings, and until then, speculation remains unfounded.

Aviation experts note that accident investigations often involve complex technical analysis, including examination of flight data recorders, human factors, maintenance history and environmental conditions. Drawing early conclusions, they say, risks misrepresenting the facts and undermining confidence in the investigative process.

By issuing a firm rebuttal, the AAIB underscored its commitment to transparency, procedural integrity and international aviation safety norms. As the probe continues, authorities have assured that updates will be shared through official channels once verified conclusions are reached.