Victims’ families are stunned after a report found fuel supply to the engines of the Air India plane that crashed last month was cut off just seconds after the flight took off.
Exactly a month back, the London Gatwick-bound flight came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad on 12 June, killing a total of 260 people.
Now, a preliminary report published by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which is part of the ongoing probe into what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to come down, has found that fuel control switches were moved to “cut-off” position as the aircraft rose from take-off.
The 15-page document also includes a conversation between the pilots on the fuel controls before the crash. “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut-off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” it stated.
Following the report’s release, Badasab Syed, 59 – who lost his brother, 49-year-old IT professional Inayat Syed, his sister-in-law, and their two children in the tragedy – told the BBC he has just been left with more questions, as he asked whether the tragedy was “avoidable”.
Of the 242 people onboard flight AI171 to London Gatwick, 241 were killed, including 53 British nationals. The flight crashed into a hostel complex at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, killing several students and residents on the ground. Only one passenger – a British-Indian man seated in 11A – survived.
Why the Air India crash report leaves devastated families with more questions
Rebecca Whittaker13 July 2025 01:00
Recap: Air India faces additional scrutiny on other fronts after crash
Air India has faced additional scrutiny on other fronts after the crash.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said last week it plans to investigate its budget airline, Air India Express, after Reuters reported the carrier did not follow a directive to change engine parts of an Airbus A320 in a timely manner and falsified records to show compliance.
India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, with New Delhi saying it wants India to be a job-creating global aviation hub along the lines of Dubai.
Rebecca Whittaker13 July 2025 00:30
Wife of Air India crash victim calls for justice to be served for those who lost lives in tragedy
The wife of one of the Air India crash victims has called for justice to be served, for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Ayushi Christian, who married Lawrence Christian in 2023 before migrating to the UK, said her husband was in India because he had been performing the last rites of his father. He was on the AI 171 flight to return home to the UK.
Following the release of an initial report into the incident, Ms Christian told the BBC: “It has been one month since the crash, but no action has been taken by the government so far. [The] preliminary investigation report has come out today. Action should be taken against those responsible for the incident.”
Rebecca Whittaker13 July 2025 00:00
Family members call for cockpit recordings from the crash to be released
The cousin of Air India crash victim Faizan Rafik is calling for more details to be brought forward following the preliminary report.
Sameer Rafik told the BBC he wants the cockpit recordings from the crash to be released.
“The Indian Government should release the cockpit audio for the families who lost loved ones,” he said. Only after that “we will then know what happened”, he told the BBC.
Rebeca Whittaker12 July 2025 23:30
Watch: British wellness couple posted ‘Goodbye India’ video from airport before fatal Air India plane crash
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 23:00
Pictured: Memorial held for the deceased crew members
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 22:45
Watch: Moment British survivor of Air India crash walks out of flames
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 22:30
Recap: UK government pledges to review report into tragedy
The UK government has said it will review India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s report into the tragedy.
On board the Air India flight bound for London Gatwick were 53 British nationals.
A Department for Transport spokesperson told the BBC: “This was a tragic accident, and our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.”
They continued: “The UK welcomes the publication of the Indian Authorities’ preliminary report, and will review this in detail and consider if any action is required.”
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 22:00
Why the Air India crash report leaves devastated families with more questions
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 21:45
Crash victim’s families say they ‘can’t be at peace’ without knowing the truth
The granddaughter of a victim of the Air India flight crash has said she “can’t be at peace” without those responsible being held accountable.
Although Ria Patel from Buckinghamshire feels the report brings them closer to understanding what happened, she told the BBC: “I want to be able to have closure.”
Her grandmother Manju Mahesh Patel, 79, had been staying in Ahmedabad carrying out charity work at a temple before boarding the London Gatwick bound flight.
Following the report into the crash Ms Patel said: “I feel like I can’t really be at peace with what’s happened, unless I understand where the accountability lies.”
Rebecca Whittaker12 July 2025 21:30
