A preliminary report into the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 is expected to be released shortly, possibly as early as today. Multiple sources confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has briefed a parliamentary committee, stating the report would be made public within days. This aligns with international aviation norms requiring initial reports within 30 days of an accident. The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. Seconds after takeoff, the aircraft plunged into the BJ Medical College hostel complex. The crash killed 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, bringing the death toll to 260. It stands as the worst aviation disaster in India in more than three decades and the deadliest worldwide in over ten years. Remarkably, one British passenger survived.
Early findings suggest investigators are focusing on the operation of the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches and possible issues related to engine thrust. Authorities are examining whether the switches were turned off—accidentally or intentionally—leading to a dual engine failure. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered intact and are currently being analyzed for more insights.
Although not expected to deliver final conclusions, the preliminary report will outline key facts: the aircraft and crew data, accident sequence, weather conditions, and the current status of the investigation. So far, no mechanical or design flaws have been identified in the Boeing 787 or its engines. Given the scale of the tragedy and the prominence of the Boeing 787 in global aviation, the AAIB’s report is highly anticipated worldwide. It is expected to shed light on the final moments of the ill-fated flight and provide the first official understanding of the events that led to the catastrophic crash.