The Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has taken a shocking turn. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, headed to London, crashed seconds after takeoff. The tragedy killed 260 people. Among them were 241 of the 242 passengers and crew. Several people inside a nearby medical students’ hostel also lost their lives.
At first, investigators suspected a technical failure. Now, fresh international reports suggest possible human action inside the cockpit. An Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported that someone manually switched off the aircraft’s fuel supply.
Black Box Data Points to Manual Action
Investigators examined the black box and cockpit voice recordings. The data shows that the fuel control switches moved from “run” to “cut off.” This change required direct human action.
US aviation experts conducted simulator tests. They tested whether both engines could fail at the same time due to a mechanical issue. The results showed that such a failure was highly unlikely without manual input.
Cockpit audio revealed a tense exchange. One pilot asked, “Why did you turn off the fuel?” The other pilot denied doing it. Investigators now treat this exchange as critical evidence.
Pilot Under Examination
Media reports have named Captain Sumeet Sabharwal as a person of interest. Some sources claim he struggled with depression before the flight. His father strongly denied those claims and defended his record.
Investigators are reviewing medical records, training history, and psychological evaluations. Officials have not confirmed any findings yet. The inquiry remains active.
Authorities Await Final Report
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues to lead the probe. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also monitoring the case. Authorities have not released the final report.
Aviation experts expect stricter mental health checks for pilots if human involvement is confirmed. Airlines may introduce more frequent psychological evaluations.
For now, investigators continue their work. The official government report will provide final clarity on what caused the Air India Flight 171 crash.
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