New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has strongly refuted media reports alleging that the pilot of Air India flight AI-171 deliberately caused the catastrophic crash in Ahmedabad last year, calling such claims baseless and premature.
In a pointed clarification, the AAIB emphasised that the probe into the incident, which claimed 260 lives, remains underway. “Some news in the media are not verified and are presented based on assumptions only,” the bureau stated. “It is inappropriate to hold any person or reason responsible at this time, as the investigation is still ongoing.”
The tragedy unfolded when the aircraft plummeted just 32 seconds after takeoff, smashing into the B J Medical College building, about 1.7 km from the runway in Gujarat’s bustling city. Of the 241 people on board, including foreign nationals, only one passenger seated in 11A miraculously survived. The crash also killed 19 people on the ground, sending shockwaves across the nation.
Media outlets, citing Italy’s Corriere Della Sera, had speculated that the disaster stemmed from a “deliberate act” rather than technical failure, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the pilot intentionally switched off the fuel supply. However, the AAIB dismissed these as unfounded, urging restraint. “The investigation of the plane crash is a complex and technical process, including in-depth study of the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, technical analysis, weather conditions, and many other aspects,” the statement read. “The investigation is being conducted with full transparency and in a professional manner.”
Appealing to the public and press, the AAIB requested reliance solely on official updates and the final report, warning against sensationalism that could hinder justice for the victims’ families. As the nation awaits closure, this rebuke underscores the perils of unchecked speculation in high-stakes enquiries.