New Delhi: Air India’s managing director and chief executive officer, Campbell Wilson, told the Aviation India 2025 conference that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary review of the AI-171 disaster did not reveal shortcomings in the carrier’s operational procedures, practices or maintenance. He said the July findings did not identify issues that would require changes to the airline’s systems.
The June 12 accident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a flight from Ahmedabad to London and resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers, with one survivor. Investigators reported that fuel flow to both engines was interrupted after the fuel control selectors were moved to the “cutoff” position in quick succession. Although the switches were returned to normal about ten seconds later, both engines had already flamed out, precipitating the catastrophic outcome.
Wilson underlined that, despite the AAIB’s lack of operational fault findings, Air India remains committed to continuous improvement. “Any major incident in aviation — whether involving us or another operator — is an occasion for sober reflection and for reviewing our standards and training,” he said.
The preliminary document did not single out any individual pilot or cite a specific technical malfunction, and experts in aviation medicine and human factors continue to contribute to the broader investigation. Wilson said the airline has been fully cooperative with investigators while noting that Air India itself is not the formal inquiry authority.
“This is the first time we’ve publicly addressed this in India since that tragic day,” he added, describing the crash as deeply painful for the families affected, the airline’s staff and the wider community.
The AI-171 accident remains one of the gravest recent events in civil aviation. Air India reiterated its resolve to enhance training, refine operational practices and pursue ongoing safety improvements to help prevent similar tragedies in future.
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