Breaking News: No Technical Fault in Air India Crash, Says Italian Media Report

The development came after Italy’s Corriere della Sera reported that investigators had reportedly found no evidence of a technical failure and were considering the possibility that one of the aircraft’s pilots moved the fuel-control switches from the RUN position to CUTOFF shortly after take-off. The report cited unnamed sources familiar with discussions involving the investigation. The claim, however, has not been confirmed as a final finding by India’s aviation accident investigation authority.

What Happened to Air India Flight AI171?

Air India Flight AI171 was a Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025.

The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The accident killed 260 people on the aircraft and on the ground, according to official aviation authorities.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released a preliminary report in July 2025 containing factual information available at that stage of the investigation. Air India said at the time that it was cooperating with the AAIB and other authorities while the investigation continued.

The final cause of the accident had not been officially established when the Italian report appeared in February 2026.

What Did the Italian Report Claim?

The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that investigators had reportedly ruled out a conventional technical malfunction and were considering an intentional action as the likely explanation for the aircraft’s loss.

According to reports describing the Italian article, investigators were examining the movement of the aircraft’s fuel-control switches. The switches reportedly moved from RUN to CUTOFF shortly after take-off, interrupting the fuel supply to the engines.

The report suggested that the switch movement was not consistent with normal aircraft operation and raised questions about whether one of the pilots had deliberately moved the controls.

However, these claims came from a media report based on unnamed sources. They were not an official final finding released by the AAIB. That distinction is important because the investigation was still active.

AAIB Rejects Claims That Investigation Was Complete

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau responded to the reports on February 12, 2026.

The AAIB said reports suggesting that the AI171 investigation had been finalized were incorrect and speculative. The agency stated that the investigation remained in progress and that no final conclusions had been reached.

The bureau also explained that aircraft accident investigations are technical and evidence-based processes. Investigators examine available evidence before reaching conclusions about the causes and contributing factors behind an accident.

According to the AAIB, the preliminary report released earlier contained factual information available at that stage. The final investigation report, including conclusions and safety recommendations, would be released after the investigation was completed.

The agency urged media organizations and the public to avoid premature speculation while the investigation remained underway.

Why the Fuel-Control Switches Matter

The reported movement of the fuel-control switches has become an important part of the discussion surrounding the AI171 investigation.

Aircraft fuel-control switches are used to control the fuel supply to an engine. Moving a switch from RUN to CUTOFF can interrupt fuel flow.

The Italian report reportedly linked the switch movement to the loss of engine thrust after take-off. However, the significance of the switch movement and the circumstances in which it occurred must be determined through the official investigation.

At this stage, it would therefore be inaccurate to state that the pilot deliberately switched off the engines as an established fact.

Instead, the available information should be described as a claim reported by an Italian newspaper that was subsequently disputed by the Indian investigation authority.

What Did the Preliminary Investigation Find?

The AAIB had already released a preliminary report in July 2025.

The preliminary report provided factual information available to investigators at that point in the investigation. It was not a final determination of the cause of the accident.

Air India also said following the release of the preliminary report that it would continue cooperating with the AAIB and other authorities investigating the crash.

The distinction between a preliminary report and a final investigation is important. Aviation accident investigations can involve examination of flight-recording data, aircraft systems, maintenance records, operational information, and other evidence before investigators reach conclusions.

No Final Cause Announced by India

Despite the claims contained in the Italian media report, India’s aviation accident investigation authority had not announced a final cause for the AI171 crash as of February 12, 2026.

The AAIB’s statement directly addressed reports suggesting that the final investigation had already been completed. The bureau said the investigation was still in progress and that no final conclusions had been reached.

This means the Italian report should be treated as a reported development, rather than as confirmation of the final cause of the crash.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The AAIB has said the final report will be published after the investigation is completed in accordance with established aviation investigation procedures.

The agency’s work involves examining the evidence surrounding the accident and determining the factors that contributed to it. The final report is also expected to contain safety recommendations where appropriate.

The purpose of an aviation accident investigation is not simply to identify an individual or assign blame. The process is intended to establish what happened and identify lessons that can improve aviation safety.

What This Means for the Air India Crash Investigation

The latest development does not establish that a technical fault was ruled out by India’s official investigation.

Instead, it shows that an Italian media report made claims about the direction of the investigation, while the AAIB publicly stated that its work was still continuing.

Therefore, any statement about the final cause of the AI171 crash should be treated cautiously until the official investigation is completed and its final findings are published.

For now, the reported fuel-switch movement remains part of the discussion surrounding the crash, but the circumstances behind it and its significance have not been officially established as the final cause.

Key Points

• Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
• The Boeing 787-8 was operating a flight from Ahmedabad to London.
• The crash killed 260 people on the aircraft and on the ground.
• An Italian media report claimed investigators had ruled out a technical malfunction.
• The report also claimed that an intentional fuel-switch movement was being considered.
• India’s AAIB said the investigation was still underway.
• AAIB said no final conclusions had been reached.
• The official final investigation report is expected after the investigation is completed.

Conclusion

The latest reports surrounding the Air India AI171 crash have raised questions about the aircraft’s fuel-control switches and whether human action may have contributed to the accident. However, the claims reported by Italian media should not be presented as the final findings of the investigation.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has made clear that its investigation remains ongoing and that no final conclusions have been reached. Until the official report is released, the exact cause of the crash should therefore be regarded as unconfirmed.

Sources: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, and reports from Italian and Indian media.