Italian Report Reveals Shocking Findings
An Italian newspaper has claimed that the Air India Flight 171 crash resulted from an intentional action by one of the pilots. Corriere della Sera reported that investigators believe a pilot switched off the fuel supply shortly after takeoff. Considered one of India’s worst aviation disasters, the crash killed 242 people on board, including 12 crew members. The aircraft was flying from Ahmedabad to London on June 12, 2025. It crashed just seconds after leaving the runway.
According to the report, investigators found no technical failure in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Instead, they focused on cockpit recordings and flight data. These materials reportedly point to human intervention as the main cause of the tragedy.
Fuel Switch Analysis and Black Box Evidence
Sources cited by Corriere said experts carefully examined the aircraft’s black box data. Investigators also enhanced cockpit voice recordings for better clarity. Through this process, they identified which pilot operated the fuel switches. The engines lost power after the switches moved from “run” to “cutoff.”
Furthermore, simulator tests conducted by US experts failed to recreate the shutdown without human involvement. As a result, analysts ruled out mechanical failure. The sequence of events showed that the left engine stopped first, followed by the right engine. This pattern matched the pilot’s seating position in the cockpit.
Captain Emerges as Key Focus of Investigation
The Italian report named Captain Sumeet Sabharwal as the main suspect in the incident. He was monitoring the flight while First Officer Clive Kunder handled the controls. According to the findings, Kunder attempted to regain altitude in the final seconds. However, the captain’s controls remained inactive.
Meanwhile, pilot associations and Sabharwal’s family have strongly rejected these claims. They argue that authorities are unfairly targeting the crew. They have demanded a deeper review of airline procedures and aircraft systems. In addition, they called for greater transparency in the investigation process.
Political Pressure and Final Report Expectations
Sources told Corriere that international pressure influenced the investigation’s direction. Western aviation agencies reportedly urged Indian authorities to recognise human error. They warned that ignoring such findings could affect India’s aviation safety ratings.
In December 2025, Indian investigators re-examined flight data in Washington. They worked closely with the US National Transportation Safety Board. Their analysis strengthened the case for human involvement. However, officials may soften the final report to avoid controversy.
So far, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the Civil Aviation Ministry have not issued formal statements. The final report is expected soon. Its conclusions will likely shape future aviation safety policies in India and abroad.
