Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Nearly three weeks after the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI171, which claimed 241 lives on board and left dozens dead on the ground, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release its preliminary investigation report within days.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunged into the BJ Medical College complex in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on 12 June, shaking public confidence in air safety.
The initial report, according to sources, may not establish the root cause of the disaster. However, it will offer a detailed reconstruction of the final minutes of the doomed flight. It is expected to include:
- A timeline of the aircraft’s final moments
- Cockpit voice recordings
- Pilot inputs and aircraft system data
- Weather reports and ATC communication logs
This will mark the first official insight into the tragedy that stunned the aviation community and left families searching for answers.
While 19 bodies have already been identified and handed over by Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed another 34 people died on the ground. The aircraft had crashed into the medical college complex.
So far, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued only two updates. These confirmed that both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were recovered.
On 25 June, data was successfully retrieved from one of the recorders.
However, both the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have remained silent on Bharat Express’s queries regarding the report’s status.
Aircraft condition and maintenance record
Air India, under public scrutiny, has defended its maintenance protocols. The airline claims the aircraft—registered VT-ANB—had no known technical issues.
A major check was completed in June 2022, and another was scheduled for December 2025.
The engines had also been overhauled in line with manufacturer guidelines. The right engine was reinstalled in March, and the left was inspected in April this year.
Captain Sabharwal, who was in command, had logged over 10,000 flight hours.
In the wake of the tragedy, the DGCA has intensified safety checks across all Boeing 787 aircraft operated in India.
Air India, meanwhile, has scaled back both domestic and international operations. The airline cites the need to stabilise its flight network and reduce disruptions.
As investigators pore over critical black box data, the world is watching. If any mechanical or design flaw is revealed, it could raise serious questions for Boeing and global Dreamliner operations.
The lives lost demand accountability, and the aviation world now waits for answers that may determine the future of flying itself.
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