💥 EXPOSED: A single, simple mistake may have brought down Air India Flight 171 — and now investigators are finally connecting the dots. It wasn’t sabotage. It wasn’t weather. It was something shockingly avoidable… and it cost over 260 lives. How could this happen?

While the final investigation report is awaited, Air India has proactively addressed concerns regarding its crew, aircraft maintenance, and safety practices.

Air India has proactively addressed concerns regarding its crew, aircraft maintenance, and safety practices.

In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, the airline has released an extensive statement outlining key facts surrounding the incident. The crash claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 34 on the ground. While the final investigation report is awaited, Air India has proactively addressed concerns regarding its crew, aircraft maintenance, and safety practices.

Below are the major points of Air India’s defence as outlined in its official communication by Air India CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, on Thursday.

Experienced Crew on Board

Air India confirmed that the flight was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot and trainer with over 10,000 hours of experience on widebody aircraft. He was accompanied by First Officer Clive Kunder, who had logged more than 3,400 hours of flight experience. The airline underscored that both pilots were highly qualified and trained to international standards.

Aircraft Maintenance Up to Date

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash had undergone regular maintenance. Its last major check was completed in June 2023, and the next was scheduled for December 2025. The right engine was overhauled in March 2025, while the left engine was inspected in April 2025. Air India stated that the aircraft and engines were monitored continuously and had shown no signs of issues before departure.

DGCA-Directed Safety Inspections Underway

Following a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued on June 14, Air India has been conducting enhanced safety inspections on all 33 Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet. Of these, 26 aircraft have already cleared the inspection, and the remainder are undergoing checks during routine maintenance. The DGCA has since confirmed that Air India’s aircraft and procedures meet all safety requirements.

Operational Disruptions and Proactive Measures

Acknowledging a recent spike in cancellations, Air India cited multiple causes: time-intensive safety inspections, airspace closures in Iran and the Middle East, night-time restrictions at international airports, and other technical issues. The airline has apologised for the inconvenience and said it is working to minimise further disruption.

Temporary Cut in International Operations

To bolster operational resilience, Air India will temporarily reduce its international widebody flights by about 15% from June 20 through mid-July. This, the airline said, will help create a buffer of backup aircraft and ensure more thorough safety checks, not only on Boeing 787s but also on Boeing 777s..