**Investigation into Cause of Air India Crash Ongoing, Officials Say**
The investigation into the tragic Air India crash that claimed the lives of 260 individuals, including all but one person on board and 19 people on the ground, is progressing, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India. This announcement comes on the first anniversary of the disaster, which occurred on June 12, 2025, shortly after the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad en route to London.
In a statement released by the AAIB, officials noted that "significant progress" has been made in various areas of the investigation. This includes a thorough examination and analysis of the aircraft's systems, flight recorder data, engine components, as well as maintenance and operational records. However, the AAIB did not provide a timeline for when the final report would be completed and made public.
The crash has been the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation regarding its cause. Preliminary findings, released in July 2025, indicated that just seconds after takeoff, the fuel-control switches in the cockpit moved to the "cut-off" position. This unexpected action resulted in the engines being deprived of fuel, leading to a total power loss and the subsequent crash. Audio recordings from the cockpit revealed a conversation between the two pilots, in which one questioned the actions of the other regarding the fuel cut-off, to which the second pilot responded that he had not made such a change.
In the days following the release of the preliminary report, media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported that new details in the investigation were shifting focus towards the senior pilot, Captain Sabharwal. According to these reports, cockpit recordings suggested that the captain may have been responsible for cutting the fuel flow to the engines. These claims have been met with significant backlash from pilots' associations in India, which have criticized the media coverage and defended the senior pilot against allegations of wrongdoing.
The ongoing investigation highlights the complexities involved in aviation accident inquiries, where multiple factors can contribute to a disaster. The AAIB's commitment to a thorough examination of all evidence is crucial in determining the final cause of the crash and ensuring that any necessary safety measures are implemented to prevent future incidents.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims and the aviation community await the findings that will shed light on this devastating event. The AAIB has emphasized its dedication to transparency and accuracy in its work, promising to release the final report once the investigation is complete.