More time needed for deadly Air India crash inquiry, officials say

Investigators looking into the cause of the Air India crash that killed 250 people say they are not yet ready to publish a final report.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released an update on Friday, the first anniversary of the disaster, confirming “significant progress” in the analysis of evidence but stating that the process is ongoing.

The crash, which happened about 6 km from Sardar Vallabh Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, involved a Boeing 787-8 that collided with a medical college building shortly after take‑off on 12 June 2025. The impact caused an explosion, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.

While preliminary investigations suggested the fuel‑control switches moved to the “cut‑off” position seconds after departure, reports have shifted focus to the senior pilot, Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, following audio records that appear to show a pilot asking a colleague why the fuel was cut.

Pilots’ associations in India and the AAIB have rebuffed claims that the senior pilot caused the crash, emphasizing that accident investigations aim to enhance safety rather than assign blame.

The AAIB stated the final report will be released only after all investigative activities and international review are complete, stressing that thorough analysis of aircraft systems, flight recorder data, maintenance records and other evidence is still underway.

With public scrutiny and families awaiting answers, officials assert that the investigation must be carried out with utmost care and diligence before conclusions can be presented to the world.