The Accident
Shortly after liftoff, both engines lost thrust nearly simultaneously because their fuel‑control switches moved into the CUTOFF position. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel approximately 1.7 km from the runway.
Casualties: All but one of the 230 passengers and all 12 crew (241 fatalities on the plane) were killed. Additionally, 19 people died on the ground and 67 others were injured.
Sole survivor: A British national seated in 11A, who escaped with minor injuries from the detached aircraft section near the emergency exit.
Quick Flight Summary
Flight number: AI 171
Aircraft: Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (registration VT‑ANB)
Route: Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) to London Gatwick
Date and time: 12 June 2025, departed 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC); crashed about 32 seconds after takeoff
Investigation and Theories
Preliminary Findings
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on 8 July 2025. It confirmed the fuel switches to both engines were moved to CUTOFF just a few seconds after takeoff, followed by loss of thrust, deployment of the ram‑air turbine (RAT), and an attempted but failed recovery before impact.
No mechanical faults were found in the aircraft or its systems, and maintenance records were in order. Airbus vendors and Boeing received no safety recommendations.
Hypotheses
Human error or intentional act? The cockpit voice recorder captured an exchange in which the first officer asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which the captain allegedly replied he had not. Investigators have not confirmed who flipped the switches.
Some experts, such as aviation specialist Anthony Brickhouse, suggest the fuel cutoff behavior appears intentional, noting the unlikelihood of both switches being moved together inadvertently without override alarms. Pilot unions push back, calling speculation unsupported and harmful in absence of a full report.
Mental Health Angle
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, with around 15,600 flight hours (8,600 on 787), has come under focus. He was described as dedicated but grieving his mother’s death and caring for an elderly father; colleagues reportedly nicknamed him “Sad Sack” for his serious demeanor. Investigators are examining his mental health and possible emotional stress, though airline records show he had passed all fitness checks with no prior issues.
Flight Data Recorders
Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered—one day after the crash, and the other two days later. Data from these recorders underpin the preliminary findings.
Regulatory Response
The DGCA ordered immediate inspections on fuel‑control switch locking mechanisms across all Boeing 787s and certain 737 models by 21 July 2025. No issues were found in Air India’s fleet after completion of voluntary checks. Air India reports compliance with inspections and continues to cooperate fully with authorities. A memorial trust and compensation process for victims’ families are in place.
Status Quo and Official Views
The crash remains under active investigation. Although early signals hint at possible pilot action, the AAIB has not attributed official blame and cautions against drawing conclusions from selective media reports.
Air India leadership emphasizes the ongoing nature of the probe and urges patience and full evaluation of all data before final judgment.
The Person Behind It
The main scrutiny is on Captain Sumeet Sabharwal:
Veteran pilot with over 15,000 flight hours and considerable Dreamliner experience.
Known to colleagues as reserved, reportedly under emotional strain following personal loss.
No conclusive evidence of intent or illness. Investigation into his mental health is ongoing; currently, no formal findings have been made public.
Summary Table
| Topic | Status / Findings |
|---|---|
| Flight & crash | AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 |
| Accident cause | Fuel switches moved to CUTOFF, causing engine shutdown |
| Hypotheses | Human error or potential intentional action; mechanical failure not detected |
| Pilot investigation | Captain Sabharwal under close scrutiny; FO questions breakup in cockpit audio |
| Official position | No blame assigned yet; investigation ongoing |
| Mental health angle | Under review; no conclusive evidence to date |
| Current regulatory action | Inspections of Boeing fuel-switch systems mandated—completed with no faults |
| Family/legal aftermath | Compensation and welfare trust activated; some mishandling in body identification reported |
Key Questions
Was it definitely the captain’s voice?
No — the preliminary AAIB report does not confirm which pilot said which line. It only paraphrases a snippet: one pilot asked “Why did you cut off?” and the other replied “I did not.” No recordings or documents attribute either statement to Captain Sabharwal or First Officer Kunder. Press reports attribute the fuel‑switch movement to Sabharwal, but Indian authorities have not confirmed these attributions.
What personal loss did the captain suffer?
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was grieving the death of his mother in 2022, after which he relocated from New Delhi to Mumbai to care for his elderly father. Colleagues described him as a devoted son, deeply affected by the loss, often caring for his father’s daily needs. Some reports also mention time off in past years for mental health concerns, though he passed medical evaluations as recently as September 2024.
Cockpit voice/data recorder excerpts?
The AAIB publicly released only the paraphrased two-sentence exchange: one pilot asking why the fuel was cut off, and the other denying it. The full cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript has not been released. Aviation experts have pushed for full disclosure, arguing that the limited excerpt raises more questions than it answers.
Summary Table
| Question | What We Know (as of now) |
|---|---|
| Was that definitely the captain? | No — voices aren’t attributed to either pilot in the public report |
| Personal loss details | Sabharwal lost his mother in 2022 and cared for an elderly father |
| Full CVR/FDR transcript | Not released; only a brief exchange made public; experts call for full transcript |
When Can We Expect the Full Transcript and Forensic Documents?
Under ICAO guidelines, preliminary reports are typically released within 30 days of an accident, and final reports within 12 months. India’s AAIB published its interim report on July 12, 2025. The comprehensive final report is expected by June 12, 2026. Earlier disclosure of full transcripts is considered unlikely.
Summary Table
| Item | Expected Release |
|---|---|
| Full CVR transcript | In final report (expected by June 12, 2026) |
| Detailed flight data | In final report |
| Simulator/back-tested reconstructions | Likely included in final report |
| Final forensic conclusions | In final report (by mid‑2026) |
Conclusion
All signals indicate that detailed release of cockpit audio, flight data, and forensic analysis will come with the AAIB’s final report, expected no later than June 12, 2026. Earlier disclosure of full transcripts is considered unlikely.
Most Likely Hypothesis
GPT: Based on current evidence, a human action in the cockpit caused the shutdown of fuel flow to both engines. Whether this was deliberate or triggered by a psychological crisis remains the central unresolved question. Mechanical failure has been excluded, and the final report in 2026 is expected to provide clarity.