Air India AI-171 Crash: Govt Rules Out Fuel Switch Locking Defect; Says OEM Inspection Still Underway
Moneylife Digital Team 29 July 2026
The Union government on Wednesday said investigators have not detected any defect in the fuel control switch locking mechanism of the Air India (AI) Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025, even as examination of the aircraft's thrust control module continues at the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) facility in Seattle.
 
Replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) had directed advanced testing of the fuel control switch as part of ongoing airworthiness assessments after the Boeing 787 fleet was grounded earlier this year. The switch was subjected to detailed examination by the OEM, including checks on the structural integrity of its locking detents.
 
According to the minister, the inspection 'found no abnormality' in the fuel control switch locking mechanism. However, he clarified that investigators have not yet completed the technical assessment of the aircraft's thrust control system, with a comprehensive examination of the thrust control module continuing at the manufacturer's facility.
 
The Air India flight crashed just 35 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew members and people on the ground, making it one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
 
Mr Mohol also rejected suggestions that the aircraft accident investigation bureau (AAIB) had delayed its final investigation report. He told the Upper House that inquiries into major aircraft accidents do not follow rigid timelines because investigations evolve as fresh evidence and technical findings emerge.
 
"The investigation into the AI-171 accident is in its final stages. All probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated," the minister said.
 
He added that the government is following established international investigation procedures and that the final report will include the complete findings of the inquiry.
 
Once the investigation is concluded, the AAIB will make the report public by uploading it to its official website, Mr Mohol informed Parliament.
 
Comments
Meenal Mamdani
1 week ago
It is mind boggling and distressing to find that even after 1 yr plus, the Indian govt has been unable to conclude the investigations into the cause of the crash.
This inordinate delay suggests that the govt is trying to shield the culprit, whoever or whatever it may be.
Boeing crashes investigations were concluded in less than 3 months., so if the Indian govt cannot do the job, why not send the data elsewhere to pinpoint the problem.
People should refuse to fly Air India if the airline is not serious about getting to the bottom of what caused the crash.
Also, remember that the CEO, Campbell Wilson, resigned after 2 years in the role. Maybe he was unwilling to put up with the delay in getting to the bottom of this disaster.
SV Prasad
Replied to Meenal Mamdani comment 1 week ago
Neither govt. nor Air India have any direct control or even any role to play in the investigation process being handled by AAIB. Many bits of technical evidences and scenarios need to be scientifically evaluated before evn ruling out any possibility. The findings should also stand challenge in a court of law globally, which puts a lot of constraints in a time bound conclusion of investigation of such a not so common accident as modern aircraft systems are designed to can handle so many redundancies & complexeities and yet the incident has happened. We need to exercise a lot of patience to allow the investigation team to go minutest of details to investigate and provide a proper closure to the families of the victims and most importantly issue advisories to prevent such accidents to recur in any manner
Meenal Mamdani
Replied to SV Prasad comment 1 week ago
I assume that other countries are equally careful.
How is it that results are available in a timely manner for crashes in other countries while in India it takes so long?
Are you saying that the other countries have a lax system?
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