‘Incorrect and speculative’: AAIB rejects Italian report blaming pilot for Air India 171 crash

NEW DELHI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday clarified that the investigation into the June 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad is still ongoing, dismissing reports that the probe has concluded and pinned the blame for the incident on pilot.“The investigation is still in progress. No final conclusions have been reached,” the AAIB said, urging media organisations to exercise restraint and avoid premature speculation, which it said could cause public anxiety and undermine the integrity of the investigation. The AAIB noted that it conducts investigations strictly under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and India’s obligations under ICAO Annex 13. The preliminary report, released in July 2025, provided only factual information available at the time. The final investigation report, containing conclusions and safety recommendations, will be published upon completion.Earlier, Italian daily Corriere della Sera had reported, citing unnamed sources, that investigators had determined the crash was caused by an “intentional act” rather than a technical defect, and identified Captain Sumeet Sabharwal as the primary suspect. The report claimed US experts assisting in the probe described the findings as a “breakthrough.”The AAIB stressed that such reports are speculative. “Aircraft accident investigations are technical, evidence-based processes aimed at determining root causes and enhancing safety,” it said.The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI-171, crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people, including passengers and individuals in a medical students’ hostel where the aircraft fell. Only one passenger survived. The preliminary report indicated that fuel control switches were moved from “run” to “cut-off” during the final moments and highlighted cockpit exchanges between the pilots.The AAIB reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, procedural integrity, and the highest standards of aviation safety.