The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is transparently investigating the Air India Boeing crash at Ahmedabad airport on June 12 last year. A preliminary report was released on July 12, 2025, and is accessible on the AAIB website. The investigation is ongoing, with the final report to be published upon completion, as per the ministry’s statement in the Rajya Sabha.
The ministry stated that in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 requirements, an interim statement was issued by AAIB on June 12, 2026. The final investigation report will follow the completion of the investigation. The tragic crash of the AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner flight resulted in the loss of 260 lives, with 241 passengers on board and 19 individuals on the ground losing their lives. Notably, one passenger on the plane survived the crash.
The preliminary report disclosed by AAIB on July 12 revealed that both engines of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner experienced thrust loss due to the fuel cut-off switches moving to the ‘CUTOFF’ position from ‘RUN’. The cockpit voice recorder indicated that one pilot informed the other about not turning off the fuel control switches, which were subsequently returned to the RUN position just before the crash. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing that the AAIB’s report is based on initial findings until the final report is released.
AAIB functions as an independent statutory body mandated to investigate civil aviation accidents and serious incidents within Indian airspace. Established in July 2012, AAIB adheres to international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ensuring the separation of safety investigations from the regulatory duties of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
