AAIB Finds No Operational Failings in Air India AI-171 Preliminary Report

Post by : Raina Nasser

New Delhi: Air India managing director and CEO Campbell Wilson told delegates at the Aviation India 2025 summit that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on flight AI-171 did not identify any shortcomings in the carrier's operations, procedures or maintenance regimes. He said the July document did not indicate a need for structural changes inside Air India.

The June 12 accident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Ahmedabad–London sector and resulted in 241 fatalities with a single survivor. The crash took place shortly after departure when investigators say the fuel supply to both engines was interrupted. The AAIB noted that the fuel control switches had been moved to the 'cutoff' position in quick succession and, although returned roughly 10 seconds later, the engines suffered flameouts that precipitated the catastrophe.

Wilson stressed that an absence of operational fault in the AAIB's initial findings does not end the airline's focus on safety. 'Any incident in aviation — whether involving us or another operator — demands careful introspection and a review of procedures,' he said, underlining the carrier's ongoing internal assessments.

The published report did not attribute blame to any individual crew member nor point to a definitive technical malfunction; however, specialists in aviation medicine and psychology remain engaged as part of the continuing inquiry. Wilson reiterated that Air India has been cooperative with investigators despite not being the formal subject of the probe.

'This marks our first substantive public discussion in India since that devastating day. The loss was immeasurable for families, staff and the wider company,' Wilson added, reflecting on the human toll of the accident.

As the investigation proceeds, the AI-171 tragedy stands among the most severe recent civil aviation incidents. Air India says it will maintain and strengthen safety oversight, training and operational reviews as part of its long-term risk-reduction efforts.