There is no delay in probe into Air India Boeing crash: Govt
New Delhi, July 27
The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed Parliament on Monday that there has been no delay in the investigation into the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad airport and the inquiry "is progressing as per established procedures."
The investigations into major aviation accidents depend on several factors and involve multiple variables, making it impossible to specify a fixed timeline for the final report, the ministry said in a written reply to a question in the Upper House.
"The timeline for completing a major air accident investigation cannot be predicted," the Ministry's statement said.
It also said that all probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated, indicating that the probe remains comprehensive and no conclusions have been reached so far.
The ministry further informed the Rajya Sabha that the inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) facility is underway as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier, in a reply, also stated in Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is "transparently" conducting its investigation into the Air India Boeing crash on June 12 last year and "all probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated."
A preliminary investigation report was published by AAIB on July 12, 2025, and the same is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in. The investigation is in progress, and the final report will be published after completion of the investigation, the ministry stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
"As per the ICAO Annex 13 requirements, the interim statement has been published by AAIB on June 12, 2026. The final investigation report will be published after completion of the investigation," the ministry added.
As many as 260 people were killed when the AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick on June 12 crashed within 35 seconds of taking off. While 241 people on board the Dreamliner lost their lives, 19 people were killed on the ground. One passenger on the plane had a miraculous escape.
The preliminary report released by the AAIB on July 12 stated that both engines of the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust after the two fuel cut-off switches moved from the 'RUN' to the 'CUTOFF' position. However, the cockpit voice recorder has revealed that one of the pilots told the other that he did not turn off the fuel control switches. The fuel switches were then returned back to the RUN position just before the plane crashed.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu earlier said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's report on the Air India crash was based on preliminary findings, and urged against reaching any conclusions until the final report is released.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Respectfully, the government's explanation about "multiple variables" sounds like corporate spin. The AAIB released a preliminary report in July 2025, an interim statement in June 2026, and still no final report? This is a Boeing Dreamliner crash with 260 dead—not a minor fender bender. Our aviation regulator should be answerable to the public, not just Parliament. 🙏
Having worked in aviation safety in the US, I can say investigations into complex crashes do take time—often 2-3 years. But the key issue here is transparency. The fact that the fuel cut-off switches moved to CUTOFF, yet the pilots denied touching them, raises huge questions about possible electrical or software faults. India should push Boeing for full access to the Dreamliner's fly-by-wire data. Lives depend on it.
I appreciate the minister asking people not to jump to conclusions. But honestly, when you have a preliminary report saying fuel switches were moved, then a cockpit recording showing the pilots didn't do it, you have to wonder: was it a maintenance error? Sabotage? A Boeing design flaw? The AAIB should at least give regular updates to the families, even if the final report takes time. They deserve that much. 🇮🇳
What baffles me is that one passenger survived miraculously, but 241 died on board and 19 on the ground. The fact that the plane crashed 35 seconds after takeoff suggests something catastrophic happened almost immediately. The Thrust Control Module inspection at the OEM is crucial—if that's faulty, it could explain why the engines lost thrust even with fuel available. This is a global aviation safety issue, not just an Indian one.
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