NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is examining all possible causes behind the fatal Air India AI171 crash, including every probable factor that may have contributed to the accident, and that the final investigation report will be released only after the probe is completed.The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, while operating flight AI171 to London Gatwick, killing 260 people.The accident is being investigated by the AAIB.Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the investigation is still underway.The AAIB had released its preliminary report on July 12, 2025, followed by an interim statement on June 12 this year.“The investigation is under progress. All probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated. The final investigation report will be published after completion of the investigation,” the minister saidResponding to queries on conflicting theories surrounding the aircraft’s fuel switch cut-off mechanism, whether engines and the main computer network components had been sent abroad for technical evaluation, and whether any critical safety data was being withheld by foreign manufacturers or entities, Mohol said the probe was examining every aspect of the crash.“The investigation is looking into all the aspects to identify the root cause and contributing factors leading to the accident,” he said.The minister said aircraft safety concerns are addressed by the State of Design authorities in coordination with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) through Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Service Bulletins (SBs).He said operators are required to comply with all mandatory provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensures compliance through Airworthiness Review Certificate inspections, regular surveillance and continuous oversight of Indian-registered aircraft.Referring to safety issues in early-model Boeing 787 aircraft, Mohol said mandatory corrective measures had already been implemented, including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive 2013-12-08, which required enhanced lithium-ion battery containment and ventilation.“Subsequent ADs and SBs for electrical, fuel, software, wiring, engine, and structural systems have been continually implemented and monitored to ensure fleet safety,” Mohol said.The minister’s reply came in response to questions on concerns raised by aviation bodies and independent safety experts regarding possible electrical or systemic failures in early-model Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.In its preliminary report released on July 12 last year, the AAIB said fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a gap of one second shortly after take-off, leading to confusion inside the cockpit.“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report had said.In its interim statement issued on June 12 this year, the AAIB said significant progress had been made in the investigation and that the final report would be released after completion of all investigative activities, along with the required international review and consultation processes.(With PTI inputs)
