Air India AI-171 Crash: Italian Report Alleges Deliberate Fuel Switch Shutdown Behind Ahmedabad Tragedy
Rome: A shocking report published by Italian daily Corriere della Sera has claimed that the crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to London on June 12, 2025, may have been caused by the deliberate shutdown of the aircraft’s fuel switches.
The report, which has sparked intense international debate, stated that there was no technical malfunction in the aircraft prior to the crash. Instead, it alleged human intervention.
According to the publication, Captain Sumit Sabharwal intentionally switched off the fuel control, leading to the tragic accident. The newspaper cited sources from a Western aviation agency, claiming the information was “almost certain.”
However, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have not officially confirmed these claims. No detailed statement endorsing the Italian media’s findings has been released so far.
Flight AI-171 was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. Miraculously, one passenger survived the crash. Additionally, 19 people on the ground, including medical students present near the crash site, lost their lives in the devastating incident.
According to the AAIB’s preliminary report, cockpit voice recorder data captured a conversation between the pilots. One pilot was heard asking the other why the fuel switch had been turned off, to which the response reportedly was, “I did not do it.” The report also mentioned that Captain Sabharwal had allegedly been experiencing depression in the month leading up to the crash.
An American expert team assisting in the investigation reportedly found no mechanical fault in the aircraft and suggested the possibility of intentional action. Corriere della Sera further claimed that Indian investigators may have reached similar conclusions, though no final determination has been officially announced.
The preliminary report had earlier appeared to indicate responsibility on one of the pilots, prompting strong protests from pilots’ associations. Captain Sabharwal’s father firmly denied claims that his son suffered from mental health issues.
The Italian report added that any final conclusion could be subject to political evaluation before formal disclosure. Meanwhile, another report suggested that the airline has imposed conditions on compensation for victims’ families, including a clause preventing legal action against the airline or the manufacturer.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have urged caution until the final report is released.
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