Investigators probing the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad have concluded that the disaster was not caused by a technical malfunction but resulted from an “intentional act,” Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported.
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The newspaper cited two unnamed sources familiar with recent discussions between New Delhi and Washington. However, India’s aviation regulator has not yet issued its final report.
The crash, which occurred in June 2025, killed 260 people — one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in decades.
According to Corriere della Sera, Indian investigators believe the aircraft’s engine fuel cut-off was deliberate rather than mechanical.
US experts assisting in the probe reportedly described the findings as “a breakthrough,” the newspaper said.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Air India, had taken off from Ahmedabad airport before crashing seconds later. The aircraft fell on a medical students’ hostel, killing passengers and individuals on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
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The report’s claims are based on unnamed sources and preliminary interpretations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to release its final findings.
What the Preliminary AAIB Report Found
A July 2025 preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that moments after take-off, the plane’s fuel control switches were moved from the “run” to the “cut-off” position.
The report cited cockpit voice recordings in which one pilot asked the other why he cut off the fuel. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.
The government has so far refrained from directly blaming either pilot.
Focus on the Cockpit: Fuel Switches and Engine Shutdown
The Italian newspaper further reported that investigators suspect the aircraft commander may have switched off the engine fuel control switches.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was the pilot-in-command, and First Officer Clive Kunder served as co-pilot. Both were among those killed in the crash.
The report stated: “Responsibilities remain unclear: the main suspect is Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who, as emerged a month after the crash, suffered from depression.”
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Sabharwal’s father rejected those claims following the AAIB’s preliminary findings. He demanded a fresh probe and dismissed speculation regarding his son’s mental health, including reports of personal distress.
Pilots’ associations also protested aspects of the preliminary findings.
Black Box Data and Technical Assessment
Investigators analysing black box data ruled out mechanical failure. Instead, they determined that the fuel control switches regulating engine ignition and shutdown had been moved manually.
According to the report, the left engine was shut down before the right. The captain is seated on the left side of the cockpit.
In the final moments, First Officer Clive Kunder’s control stick was positioned in indicated mode in an apparent attempt to regain altitude, while the captain’s remained stationary.
Over time, investigators narrowed their focus to cockpit switch movements after initially exploring multiple theories, including technical malfunction and human error.
Possible Recommendations on Pilot Mental Health
Corriere della Sera reported that the final investigation may include recommendations on continuous psychological evaluation and enhanced mental health monitoring for pilots.
However, no official conclusions have been released by India’s aviation authorities.
Until the DGCA publishes its final report, the official cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash remains formally undetermined.
