Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 27: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday informed Parliament that the investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad is progressing without delay and is being conducted in accordance with established investigative procedures.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the ministry said there is no fixed timeline for completing the inquiry, as major aviation accident investigations are complex and depend on multiple technical and operational factors.
The ministry emphasised that it is not possible to predict when the final investigation report will be ready, as each stage of the probe requires detailed examination of evidence before conclusions can be drawn.
It also clarified that investigators are examining all possible causes and contributing factors behind the crash, stressing that the inquiry remains comprehensive and that no final conclusions have been reached.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the Thrust Control Module has been sent to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for detailed technical inspection, the ministry informed Parliament.
The government reiterated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the investigation in a transparent manner and following international norms laid down for aircraft accident investigations.
The ministry noted that the AAIB released its preliminary investigation report on July 12, 2025, and later issued an interim statement on June 12, 2026, in compliance with the requirements of ICAO Annex 13. It added that the final report will be published only after the investigation is fully completed.
The tragic crash occurred on June 12, when Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just 35 seconds after take-off.
The accident claimed the lives of 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew members on board and 19 people on the ground. One passenger survived the crash.
According to the AAIB's preliminary findings, both engines lost thrust after the aircraft's two fuel control switches moved from the 'RUN' position to 'CUTOFF' during the flight.
The cockpit voice recorder also captured one pilot telling the other that he had not operated the fuel control switches. The switches were reportedly moved back to the 'RUN' position moments before the aircraft crashed.
Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public not to draw conclusions based on the preliminary report, stating that the findings are only provisional and that the final report will present the complete outcome of the investigation after all evidence has been thoroughly examined.