NEW DELHI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday said the probe into the June 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad is still underway, rejecting media reports that the investigation had concluded and attributed blame to the pilot.
“The investigation is still in progress. No final conclusions have been reached,” the AAIB said, urging media outlets to avoid premature speculation that could create public anxiety and compromise the integrity of the inquiry.
The bureau emphasised that the investigation is being conducted strictly in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and India’s obligations under ICAO Annex 13. It noted that the preliminary report released in July 2025 contained only factual details available at the time, and that the final report — including conclusions and safety recommendations — will be issued once the investigation is complete.
The clarification came after Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported, citing unnamed sources, that investigators had determined the crash resulted from an “intentional act” rather than a technical malfunction, and identified Captain Sumeet Sabharwal as the primary suspect. The report also claimed that US experts assisting in the investigation described the development as a “breakthrough.”
Dismissing these claims, the AAIB said aircraft accident investigations are technical, evidence-based processes focused on identifying root causes and strengthening safety, not assigning blame prematurely.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Flight AI-171 crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people, including passengers and residents of a medical students’ hostel where the aircraft came down. Only one passenger survived.
According to the preliminary report, the aircraft’s fuel control switches were moved from “run” to “cut-off” in the final moments before the crash, and cockpit voice recordings captured exchanges between the pilots.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and procedural integrity, the AAIB said it remains focused on ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety as the investigation continues.
