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

New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday clarified that the investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad in June 2025 is still ongoing, dismissing reports that the investigation has been concluded and blaming the pilot for the accident.The AAIB said “the investigation is ongoing and has not yet reached a final conclusion” and urged the media to exercise restraint and avoid premature speculation, which could cause public anxiety and undermine the integrity of the investigation.AAIB noted that it conducted the investigation strictly in accordance with the Aircraft (Accident and Incident Investigation) Rules, 2025 and India’s obligations under ICAO Annex 13. The preliminary report was released in July 2025 and provided only factual information available at the time. A final investigation report containing conclusions and safety recommendations will be released upon completion.Previously, Italy’s Corriere della Sera reported, citing unnamed sources, that investigators had determined that the crash was caused by “intentional behavior” rather than a technical defect, and identified captain Sumeet Sabharwal as the main suspect. According to the report, American experts assisting the investigation described the findings as a “breakthrough.”The AAIB stresses that such reports are purely speculative. “Aircraft accident investigations are technical, evidence-based processes designed to identify root causes and improve safety,” it said.The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating flight AI-171 crashed seconds after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people, including passengers at the crash site and those in a medical student hostel. Only one passenger survived. Preliminary reports indicate that the fuel control switch was switched from “run” to “cut” at the last moment and highlighted cockpit communication between the pilots.AAIB reaffirms its commitment to transparency, procedural integrity and the highest standards of aviation safety.