The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday dismissed an Italian media report that attributed the June 2025 crash of Air India flight AI171 to pilot action, stating that the probe remains ongoing and no conclusions have been reached.
The Bureau described the report as “incorrect and speculative”, emphasising that the final findings would be released only after completion of the investigation in accordance with international norms.
“The investigation is still in progress. No conclusions have been reached,” the AAIB said, adding that the preliminary report had merely placed factual information in the public domain at that stage.
An article in Italian daily Corriere della Sera had cited unnamed sources as suggesting that while a technical fault may have occurred, the crash was the result of an “intentional act” involving the manual shut-off of fuel switches by one of the pilots.
The AAIB cautioned against drawing premature inferences, noting that “unverified reporting causes unnecessary public anxiety and undermines the integrity of an ongoing professional investigation.”
The preliminary report into AI171 had earlier disclosed that fuel supply to both engines was cut off seconds after take-off. However, the Bureau reiterated that determining the cause requires a comprehensive assessment of cockpit recordings, flight data, technical parameters and other evidence.
The development comes amid broader discussions within the aviation sector over regulatory changes. Separately, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing major carriers including IndiGo and Air India, has urged the government to reconsider proposed fatigue management norms for cabin crew, warning that strict implementation could disrupt schedules and constrain growth.
The AAIB maintained that the safety investigation would continue independently and transparently, and that conclusions, along with safety recommendations, would be published only upon completion of the full inquiry.
Also read: Air India crash: Italian newspaper claims pilot shut off engines
Follow us
