The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the preliminary report into the Air India Flight AI171 crash, involving a Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration VT-ANB), which took place on 12 June 2025 in Ahmedabad. The aircraft, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 0809 UTC, killing 259 people and leaving just one survivor.
Following the notification from the Airport Authority of India and the airline operator, a team of five officers from AAIB, including the Director General (DG), reached Ahmedabad the same day. They were joined by three officers from the DGCA’s Air Safety Directorate. Site evidence collection and other related activities were led by the DG, AAIB.
The accident was reported under ICAO Annex 13 protocol to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the state of design and manufacture. Fatalities in the crash included citizens from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada, prompting AAIB to notify AAIB-UK, GPIAAF-Portugal, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
A team led by the NTSB Accredited Representative — comprising technical advisers from Boeing, General Electric (GE), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — arrived in Ahmedabad on 15 June 2025 to participate in the investigation. An official team from AAIB-UK also visited the crash site.
Under Rule 11(1) of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, the DG-AAIB appointed a dedicated investigation team, naming Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh as Investigator-in-Charge, Mr. Jasbir Singh Larhga as Chief Investigator, and Mr. Vipin Venu Varakoth, Mr. Veeraragavan K, and Mr. Vaishnav Vijayakumar as Investigators. Subject Matter Experts, including experienced pilots, engineers, aviation medicine specialists, psychologists, and flight recorder specialists, were also brought on board to support the process.
As per the progress shared in the report
Wreckage site activities, including drone photography and videography, have been completed.
The wreckage was moved to a secure airport area; both engines were retrieved and quarantined.
Components of interest have been quarantined for further examination.
Fuel samples from bowsers and tanks tested at DGCA’s lab were found satisfactory.
A limited quantity of fuel from the APU filter and left wing valve will be tested at a specialized facility.
EAFR (Extended Aircraft Flight Recorder) data has been downloaded and is under analysis.
Statements from the lone survivor and witnesses have been recorded.
Postmortem analyses of crew and passengers are ongoing to match aeromedical findings with engineering inputs.
Additional details are being pursued based on early leads.
At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GEGEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers. The investigation remains ongoing, with further evidence and records being examined.