Ahmedabad Plane Crash Update: Plane crash! Pilot’s mistake? What did Air India CEO say?

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI‑171 crash on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground, the airline’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, has issued a strong statement addressing public concern. The crash occurred mere seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s runway, when the aircraft—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner—suffered a catastrophic loss of engine power and crashed into a hostel building at BJ Medical College Barron’s+15Wikipedia+15The Indian Express+15.

Key Findings from the Preliminary AAIB Report

A 15‑page initial report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed surprising details:

Both engine fuel control switches were mysteriously toggled from RUN to CUTOFF within one second of each other, severing the engines’ fuel supply mint+12AP News+12Barron’s+12.

The pilots then attempted to switch the fuel lines back on, and while one engine briefly restarted, altitude was insufficient, and the aircraft descended rapidly The Times.

Cockpit voice recordings captured confusion: one pilot asked, “Why did you cut off fuel?” The other answered, “I didn’t” The Economic Times+15People.com+15Business Standard+15.

No definitive cause was determined, and the report offered no explicit recommendations Business Standard+5Reuters+5mint+5.

Air India Confidence in Aircraft Integrity

In a message to employees, CEO Campbell Wilson outlined Air India’s position and emphasized the airline’s commitment:

The AAIB found no mechanical or maintenance faults in the aircraft, its engines, or fuel quality.

All mandatory maintenance protocols were reportedly completed—including engine overhauls in March and April 2025 for the right and left engines respectively—showing no anomalies before takeoff Business Standard+15Reuters+15mint+15Business Standard+1India TV News+1.

Pilots were fully fit; they passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests, and no health issues were flagged The Economic Times+15The Indian Express+15ThePrint+15.

Under DGCA oversight, every Boeing 787 in Air India’s fleet underwent inspections days after the crash—26 out of 33 cleared as flight-worthy The Indian Express+15Business Standard+15Business Standard+15.

Wilson emphasized that the airline will comply with future directives, and additional fuel switch lock inspections recommended by the FAA are being considered AP News+15Barron’s+15Business Standard+15.

He urged both staff and public to refrain from drawing conclusions before the final report is out, noting the preliminary report made no final determination Outlook India+5Business Standard+5ThePrint+5.

Broader Industry Implications

This incident marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and highlights concerns over its fuel control switch mechanism, which had experienced design advisory issues from the FAA in 2018 AP News+4Barron’s+4Wikipedia+4.

Pilot associations have called for a balanced and documented inquiry, cautioning against attributing blame to crew prematurely The Times+2Reuters+2The Sun+2. The AAIB and airlines are working toward full transparency to ensure renewal of confidence.

What Happens Next?

Final AAIB investigation is actively ongoing, with full cooperation from Air India, DGCA, Boeing, and global aviation regulators AP News+15The Indian Express+15mint+15.

Corporate procedure includes fleet-wide inspections, some rescheduled flights, and continued monitoring until all unknowns are addressed .

Public relations efforts encompass compensation to victims, crisis response teams, and personal outreach by CEO Wilson and parent company Tata Group Outlook India+2tribuneindia.com+2The Indian Express+2.

Industry-wide safety assessments may follow, especially concerning fuel switch mechanisms in 787 aircraft around the world Reuters+10Barron’s+10Barron’s+10.

Public Confidence and CEO Appeal

Wilson acknowledged the emotional toll on families, airline staff, and passengers, urging everyone to maintain resilience, focus, and integrity as investigations continue Business Standard. He asked the public and media to ensure conversations remain grounded and avoid sensationalism, reaffirming Air India’s commitment to thoroughness, transparency, and passenger safety .

In Summary

The Air India AI‑171 disaster has plunged India into mourning and spotlighted gaps in aviation safety. While the preliminary AAIB report ruled out mechanical fault, questions remain about how and why the fuel switches malfunctioned so close to takeoff. CEO Campbell Wilson’s statement provides reassurance that rigorous inspections, full cooperation with authorities, and clear communication are being upheld—but the ultimate determinants await final analysis. Until then, speculation must give way to cautious, evidence-based investigation and collective resolve to learn, address, and prevent.

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