No delay in probe into Air India Boeing crash: Govt
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New Delhi: 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 that the inquiry “is progressing as per established procedures.”
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the ministry said investigations into major aviation accidents depend on several factors and involve multiple variables, making it impossible to specify a fixed timeline for the submission of a final report.
“The timeline for completing a major air accident investigation cannot be predicted,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
It also stated that all probable causes and contributing factors behind the accident are being examined, indicating that the probe remains comprehensive and that no conclusions have been reached so far.
The ministry further informed the Upper House that an inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) facility is currently underway as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier told Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was “transparently” conducting its probe into the Air India Boeing crash on June 12 last year and that “all probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated.”
The AAIB published its preliminary investigation report on July 12, 2025, which is available on its website. The investigation is still underway, and the final report will be released after the probe is completed, the ministry said in its written reply to 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 Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick, crashed within 35 seconds of take-off on June 12. Of those killed, 241 were passengers and crew members on board, while 19 people died on the ground. One passenger on the aircraft survived the crash.
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 captured one pilot telling the other that he had not turned off the fuel control switches. The switches were subsequently moved back to the ‘RUN’ position shortly before the aircraft crashed.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had earlier said that the AAIB report on the Air India crash was based on preliminary findings and urged people not to draw conclusions until the final investigation report is released.
With IANS inputs