Air India Flight 171 Crash: An Ongoing Investigation Shrouded in Speculation

Wed Nov 05 2025 10:21:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent preliminary report on the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash has sparked rampant speculation while crucial details remain elusive.

The investigation into the Air India Flight 171 disaster is deepening as the preliminary report raises more questions than answers, particularly concerning the actions that led to the plane's engines losing power moments after takeoff, igniting a wave of speculation about pilot culpability and potential mechanical failures.

The preliminary report into the Air India Flight 171 crash, which claimed 260 lives in June, has instead intensified debates and speculation within the aviation community. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft's fuel-control switches inexplicably moved to "cut-off," causing a total loss of power — a maneuver generally reserved for landings. A crucial cockpit voice recording captures a conversation between the pilots that suggests confusion regarding the engine shutdown.

Witnesses and investigators are grappling with the report, which hints at the possibility of close scrutiny of the senior pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, both seasoned aviators with nearly 19,000 total flight hours between them on the Boeing 787. Both pilots were cleared for flight post extensive health evaluations prior to their fatal jaunt.

Speculation intensified following reports by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters indicating that the first officer questioned the captain about why he shut down the engines. As the investigation continues, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has urged the public to refrain from undue speculation, labeling premature reports as "irresponsible."

While a full report is anticipated in about a year, immediate findings are prompting various theories. Some aviation experts hint at the possibility of human error through a misunderstanding of equipment operation, while others suggest a potential maintenance issue, especially considering the aircraft’s age. The ongoing media frenzy has been met with resistance from pilot associations, who have decried premature narratives painting the crew in a negative light.

Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – which is assisting in the investigation – characterized the speculations as "premature," emphasizing the importance of patience in revealing what truly transpired.

Amid the swirl of accusations, some voices within the aviation community caution against jumping to conclusions. A key question looms large: who exactly turned the fuel switches off, and could this have been the result of an aircraft malfunction rather than intentional human failure?

This ongoing saga reflects larger themes of accountability and transparency in aviation safety. Investigators are keeping an open mind about potential mechanical glitches, including issues related to the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. Yet, the report explicitly notes the switches were moved manually, further complicating the narrative of accidental shutdown versus malicious or erroneous behavior.

The AAIB and its chief, GVG Yugandhar, continue to stress that the released report aims to clarify "WHAT" occurred, allowing for a deeper, more comprehensive investigation to uncover "root causes and recommendations." As the aviation community awaits further findings, conflicting narratives persist, undermining the clarity victims' families and the public seek in the aftermath of this tragedy. The investigation underscores an ongoing battle between speculation and the pursuit of factual, transparent reporting.