Probe Into Catastrophic Air India Flight 171 Crash Leans Toward Deliberate Pilot Action Despite New Whistleblower Claims

In a significant and controversial shift for the global aviation community, investigators probing the June 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI171 are now focusing on deliberate pilot intervention as the primary cause of the disaster. As of January 30, 2026, reports from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) suggest that mechanical failure has been largely ruled out, placing the actions of the flight crew at the centre of the inquiry into India’s worst aviation tragedy in decades.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, plunged into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

The One-Second Interval That Changed Everything

The shift in the investigation follows a meticulous analysis of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Preliminary findings indicate that the fuel supply to both of the aircraft’s engines was cut off within a one-second interval while the jet was in its initial climb phase.

A source close to the investigation confirmed to the press today that the "theory of elimination" has left pilot action as the strongest line of inquiry.

“Nothing has been ruled out in the investigation so far,” the source stated, while acknowledging that the probe is increasingly homing in on the "Liveware" aspect of the SHELL model (Software, Hardware, Environment, and Liveware).

Most hauntingly, leaked details from the CVR have surfaced, capturing the final moments of confusion between Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with 15,600 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kunder.

“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,” according to the AAIB's preliminary assessments.

"Latent Defects" and System Failures

While the official probe leans toward human intent, a fierce counter-narrative has emerged from the Foundation for Aviation Safety (FAS). In a presentation submitted to the U.S. Senate earlier this month, the NGO alleged that the ill-fated aircraft, VT-ANB, had a documented history of electrical malfunctions dating back to its delivery in 2014.

The FAS report highlights a serious fire in the P100 Primary Power Panel in January 2022 and suggests that a "latent defect" in the Boeing 787 fleet could have triggered a cascading system failure, leading to an uncommanded fuel cutoff.

Prashant Bhushan, a prominent lawyer representing the Safety Matters Foundation in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court, echoed these concerns during a hearing on Wednesday:

“The entire pilots association are saying there is a problem in the Boeing 787 aircraft which needs to be grounded.”

The Supreme Court has termed the selective leaking of the preliminary report as “unfortunate and irresponsible,” warning that such leaks create a "media narrative" that may unfairly bias the public against the deceased crew.

A Legal and Emotional Standoff

The human cost of the investigation continues to mount. The AAIB recently summoned Captain Varun Anand, a serving Air India pilot and nephew of the late Captain Sabharwal, for questioning, a move the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has condemned as "wholly unwarranted."

Captain Sabharwal's 91-year-old father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, has also appealed directly to the government for a formal, independent investigation to protect his son’s legacy from what he calls "tremendous psychological pressure" caused by speculation.

“The bureau can summon and examine anyone as part of its mandate to collect facts and clarify events surrounding the crash,” the AAIB responded, standing by its authority to investigate every possible lead.

Current Status of the Investigation

The AAIB investigation remains ongoing, with certain aircraft components still undergoing forensic examination in specialised laboratories. While the focus remains on the cockpit, the simultaneous scrutiny of Boeing's "safety culture" in the U.S. Senate ensures that the AI171 probe will remain a focal point for international aviation safety through 2026.