Air India crash families still seek answers one year after 260 died in Ahmedabad

First anniversary commemorations

Families of the 260 people killed when Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad gathered for prayers and candlelight tributes on Friday. Air India observed a two-minute silence across its global offices from 1:39 p.m. to 1:41 p.m. IST, marking the exact moment of the disaster a year earlier.

In remembrance of AI171, we will observe a two-minute silence on 12 June, from 1.39pm to 1.41pm IST. Employees may observe this moment at their workstations.

The crash and its casualties

On 12 June 2025, the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college hostel seconds after takeoff. The impact killed 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 more on the ground, leaving 67 injured. One passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived. Damaged hostel buildings remain closed and Gujarat state plans to demolish them with funding from the Tata Group, which holds a 75% stake in Air India.

Stalled investigation causes frustration

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has yet to release a final report. Under international rules a final report is due within a year, or an interim update must be issued on each anniversary. Sources told Reuters an interim report would come on Friday, but the conclusive inquiry is delayed by months because of ongoing engine analysis. Investigators tested the engines in April and visited France in May to examine the engine management unit.

A preliminary report released in July 2025 noted that fuel control switches moved from “run” to “cutoff” seconds after takeoff and back again 10 seconds later, but the engines were already starved. The cockpit recording suggested the captain may have cut fuel, but the AAIB said it was too early to reach definite conclusions.

Families call for truth

Relatives say they have received little information from the airline, with some describing silence in response to emailed questions. Bhavika Patel, who lost her husband and mother-in-law, voiced the frustration felt by many.

I don’t know whose mistake, but whoever’s mistake, they have to tell us the truth.

Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, the captain’s father, has petitioned India’s top court for an independent investigation.

How can you blame him?

Suresh Patni, whose son ran a tea stall and was killed in the disaster, said the family was still in deep mourning.

I can’t believe it has been a year.

Legal fights and official signals

At least 135 families are represented in lawsuits against Air India and Boeing in the UK and the US. Aviation attorney Mike Andrews said relatives had faced “roadblocks” from the airline. India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, said last month the investigation was in its “last stage” and that the report would “mostly” be ready by the anniversary, but he added that the AAIB does the work independently and no completion date has been guaranteed.