The families of the victims of the Air India Flight 171 crash are expressing dissatisfaction with the preliminary report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The report, which investigated the crash of the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, revealed that the plane's fuel switches were moved to the "cut-off" position immediately after takeoff, stopping fuel supply to the engines. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board, as well as 19 people on the ground, and left 67 seriously injured.
According to the report, the cockpit voice recording captured a conversation between the pilots regarding the fuel controls just before the crash. One pilot is heard asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded that he did not. The report did not specify which pilot initiated the cutoff. Following the release of the report, many families of the victims say they have been left with more questions than answers.
Ishan Baxi, the cousin of two sisters who died in the crash, expressed his hope for a more transparent and honest investigation that addresses possible mechanical flaws or lapses in protocol. He stated that the final report should bring full clarity on what failed and who is accountable, without hiding behind vague terms, and should push for real changes to prevent future accidents. Relatives of another family who perished in the crash issued a statement saying that the report was "the first stepping stone" but that they require honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth. They seek justice and answers to find closure.
Other families have also voiced their concerns and questions following the release of the report. Yashpal Singh Vansdiya, who lost both parents in the crash, questioned whether all mandatory pre-flight checks were completed. Badasab Syed, who lost his brother, sister-in-law, and two children, said he was left with more questions and wondered if the tragedy was avoidable. Imtiyaz Ali, who also lost family members, described the report as reading "like a product description". Tripti Soni, who lost three family members, stated that the preliminary report "establishes nothing".
The Pilots' Association of India has also objected to the preliminary findings, stating that it "presumes the guilt of pilots" and suggests a bias toward pilot error. Captain Sam Thomas, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India, voiced strong opposition to this line of thought.
The AAIB's preliminary report indicates that the aircraft and flight crew were fit for flight, and the pilots were experienced. The captain had 15,638 flight hours, including 8,596 on the Boeing 787, while the first officer had 3,403 flight hours, with 1,128 on the same aircraft. The report documents the technical registration of the engine's fuel cutoff switches, which transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF, remained at CUTOFF for 10 seconds, and then returned to RUN.
The investigation is ongoing, with Boeing and other international experts assisting. Authorities have stated that they are not expected to assign blame yet, as the full investigation is underway and the final report is expected in the coming months.
