New Delhi, July 3 - The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India, continues to be a focal point of intense investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, tasked with unraveling the causes of this catastrophic event, is set to release its preliminary report by July 11, 2025, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, which mandate a preliminary report within 30 days of an aviation accident. This report is anticipated to provide the first official insights into the circumstances surrounding the crash, which claimed at least 275 lives, including 241 passengers and crew onboard and at least 34 people on the ground, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in a decade.
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The ill-fated flight, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, took off at 13:38 IST and crashed just 32 seconds later into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the runway. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers, including 13 children, and 12 crew members, was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours. Moments after takeoff, the crew issued a mayday call reporting a loss of power and thrust, the last transmission before the plane plummeted into the medical college campus, causing multiple explosions and a devastating fire. Only one passenger, 40-year-old British-Indian Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the crash.
The AAIB, leading the investigation with assistance from international agencies, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), and experts from Boeing and engine manufacturer GE, has made significant progress in evidence collection. Both Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), commonly referred to as black boxes, were recovered from the crash site on June 13 and June 16. These devices, which combine flight data and cockpit voice recordings, are critical to reconstructing the flight’s final moments. Data extraction from the front recorder began on June 24 at the AAIB’s newly inaugurated laboratory in Delhi, with the forward recorder’s data successfully downloaded by June 25. However, one of the black boxes sustained external structural damage from the crash and subsequent fire, raising concerns about the integrity of its data. The AAIB has decided to analyze the recorders in India, dismissing earlier speculations that they would be sent abroad to the U.S., U.K., or Singapore for decoding.
The preliminary report, expected to be a concise four-to-five-page document, will detail key aspects of the investigation, including a timeline of the flight’s final moments, recorded cockpit conversations, control inputs by the pilots, aircraft system data, weather conditions, and air traffic control communications. It will also provide initial findings on the wreckage, including the condition of the engines and airframe, which are pivotal in understanding the sequence of events. While the report is not expected to pinpoint the exact cause of the crash, it will outline possible factors under consideration, such as dual engine failure due to fuel contamination, technical malfunctions, or improper flap and landing gear configurations. Notably, India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Murlidhar Mohol, has confirmed that all angles, including the possibility of sabotage, are being explored, though bird strikes have been ruled out. The investigation has also prompted immediate actions. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, focusing on fuel systems, cabin air compressors, and engine controls. The aircraft involved, which underwent its last major maintenance check in June 2023 with its next scheduled for December 2025, had its right engine overhauled in March 2025 and the left engine inspected in April 2025. Air India’s chairman, N. Chandrasekaran, noted that both engines had “clean” maintenance histories, adding complexity to the inquiry. As the AAIB prepares to release its preliminary findings, the report is expected to name the lead investigator and highlight areas requiring further analysis. The international aviation community and the families of the victims, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, await answers. While the preliminary report will provide critical initial insights, a comprehensive final report, expected within 12 months as per ICAO guidelines, will aim to conclusively determine the cause of this tragedy and inform measures to prevent future incidents. The crash, the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011, has also raised scrutiny on Air India’s maintenance practices and the broader safety oversight of India’s aviation industry, with the DGCA conducting special audits at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai.