New Delhi: Four months after the Air India Flight 171 tragedy that claimed 260 lives, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson called the incident “devastating” and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to supporting the victims’ families and affected staff.
Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, Wilson said the airline continues to provide assistance to those impacted by the June 12 crash, when a Boeing 787-8 aircraft went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. “The crash was a deeply painful event for everyone the passengers’ families, our employees, and the entire aviation community. We are doing everything possible to support those affected and help them through this difficult time,” he said.
Referring to the interim investigation report, Wilson noted that early findings ruled out any technical faults with the aircraft, its engines, or Air India’s operating procedures. He added that the airline awaits the final report and will take corrective action if required.
Preliminary investigation results indicate that both engines lost thrust after the fuel cut-off switches were inadvertently moved to the “off” position soon after takeoff. Though designed to prevent accidental activation, the switches somehow disengaged during climb, causing catastrophic engine failure. Only one person survived the crash.
Investigators are examining whether the incident resulted from human error, design issues, or procedural lapses. Legal actions have since been filed alleging that flaws in the fuel switch design contributed to the disaster. Families of victims have also sought compensation, while Air India and regulatory authorities are conducting detailed reviews of technical systems and pilot training standards.
Wilson reiterated the airline’s full cooperation with investigators and commitment to safety reforms. “If there are lessons to be learned from this tragedy, we will ensure they are implemented to prevent anything like this from happening again,” he said.
