AAIB Pushes Back After Foreign Media Claims Air India Crash Probe Is Finished

In Shorts

• The AAIB says reports claiming the AI-171 crash investigation is complete are wrong and speculative.
• The aviation watchdog emphasizes the probe is still active with no final conclusions reached.
• The bureau urges media restraint to prevent misinformation and public anxiety.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has firmly rejected recent media narratives suggesting conclusions have been reached in the investigation into the June 2025 Air India Flight AI-171 crash. In an official statement, the bureau called the claims “incorrect and speculative” and reiterated that the inquiry into one of the nation’s deadliest aviation disasters remains ongoing.

The clarification follows reports in some international outlets that the investigation was nearing completion and that one of the flight’s pilots may have deliberately shut off fuel switches mid-air. The AAIB underscored that no definitive findings have been reached and that such interpretations do not reflect the current status of the probe.

According to international aviation investigation standards under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 and ICAO Annex 13, accident inquiries must be methodical, evidence-based, and not rushed. The bureau highlighted that its earlier preliminary report outlined only the factual information available at that stage of the investigation.

Aircraft accident investigations are complex and often take considerable time to establish root causes, industry experts note. The AAIB said the final report, which will include conclusions and safety recommendations, will be published once the inquiry is complete and thoroughly reviewed.

In its statement, the AAIB also urged media organisations and commentators to exercise caution. Unverified reporting, it warned, can create unnecessary public anxiety and undermine confidence in the investigative process.

Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed near Ahmedabad airport shortly after take-off on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people, including passengers and crew. The tragedy sparked widespread attention and intense scrutiny of aviation safety practices.