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Air India 171 Crash: Why the 6-Month Probe Mystery Raises Alarming Questions

Congress MP Manish Tewari is raising serious concerns about the investigation into the Air India 171 crash. He claims the central government is obscuring findings to avoid embarrassment, even six months after the tragedy. The preliminary report revealed a critical moment where the engine fuel controls switched off, but it's still unclear who or what caused it. This lack of definitive answers is eroding public confidence in aviation safety.

Key Points: Manish Tewari Accuses Centre of Obfuscating Air India 171 Crash Details

  • Congress MP questions why 'actual reasons' for the crash remain unclear after six months
  • Investigation faces alleged lapses and poor coordination between Indian and US agencies
  • Preliminary report noted engine fuel switches moved to 'CUTOFF' but cause is unspecified
  • Minister states AAIB probe is ongoing per ICAO standards with key recorders in custody
3 min read

Cong MP accuses Centre of obfuscating probe details in Air India 171 crash 

Congress MP Manish Tewari criticises the government for lack of clarity six months after the Air India 171 crash, questioning probe delays and coordination lapses.

"Over 6 months have elapsed since Air India 171 tragically crashed in Ahmedabad, we still do not know what exactly happened. - Manish Tewari"

New Delhi, Dec 18

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday criticised the Central government for failing to conclude ‘actual reasons’ behind the Air India Flight 171 crash, even after six months of the horrific incident and accused it of obfuscating ‘findings’ to avoid further embarrassment.

The ill-fated aircraft was headed to London’s Gatwick Airport on June 12, with 230 passengers and 12 crew aboard, but crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in more than 260 casualties, including more than a dozen on the ground.

Notably, the aviation authorities are investigating a series of possible technical snags that led to one of the worst aviation disasters in country, however, nothing substantial or any ‘incriminating evidence’ has come out yet.

The Congress lawmaker took to X on Thursday to share his pointed questions raised in the Lok Sabha over alleged lapses, lack of coordination between Indian and US agencies and also asked the government about what steps it was taking to uphold global safety standards and restore public confidence, after the tragic plane crash in Gujarat.

“Over 6 months have elapsed since Air India 171 tragically crashed in Ahmedabad, we still do not know what exactly happened,” he said in a post on X.

Replying to his query, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, however, stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was conducting an investigation as per the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and this required participation of other stakeholders, including scrutiny by aviation experts.

“Rear Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) and front EAFR were recovered on 13th June 2025 and 16th June 2025, respectively. They were transferred to AAIB on 24th June 2025 with all security protocols in vogue. Both EAFRs (combined FDR and CVR, front and rear) are in custody of AAIB, since their retrieval from the crash site under constant security and CCTV surveillance,” the minister further told the House in a written response, replying to questions on flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).

However, this failed to impress the Congress lawmaker from Chandigarh.

Notably, the AAIB had released its 15-page preliminary findings of the investigation, a month after the deadly Air India 171 crash, on July 12, giving an insight into possible reasons leading to the disaster.

It stated that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches “transitioned” from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position, minutes after the plane took off, however, it didn’t clarify on whether the switches were moved physically.

The report didn’t specify whether any of the pilots made the switchover, but it reported about conversation within the cockpit where one of the pilots asked another why he cut off, with the other stating that he didn’t do it.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand these investigations take time, the lack of a clear update is worrying. The minister's reply seems like standard bureaucratic language. What about the cockpit conversation mentioned? That needs urgent clarification for public safety.
R
Rohit P
It's easy for an opposition MP to ask questions. The AAIB is following ICAO standards, which is crucial for a credible international report. Rushing it could mean missing key details. Let the experts do their job properly.
S
Sarah B
As someone who flies frequently for work, this shakes my confidence. The detail about the fuel control switches moving by themselves is terrifying if true. We need to know if this is a technical flaw that could affect other aircraft. Safety cannot be compromised.
V
Vikram M
The minister gave specific dates for the recorder recovery. That shows some process is being followed. But the core question remains unanswered: what caused the switches to transition? Human error or system failure? The answer will determine the future of aviation safety here.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to all the families. 🙏 The political blame game doesn't help them. We need a factual, technical report, not statements meant to score points. I hope the final report brings them some peace and leads to concrete safety improvements.

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