😢 A MOTHER’S CHILLING DREAM: Days before Air India Flight 171 crashed, one mother had a haunting vision—now it’s fueling a fight for justice! 💔 Families of the 260 victims are turning to a top U.S. law firm to sue Boeing, but what shocking truth about the doomed 787 Dreamliner are they uncovering? Could this tragedy have been prevented?
Click to unravel the heart-wrenching story and the secrets behind the crash!
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, plummeted into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, India, just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people—229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 on the ground. The tragedy, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history, has left families reeling, grappling with grief, and seeking answers. A preliminary report pointed to the fuel control switches moving to “CUTOFF,” but a new twist has emerged: allegations of systemic flaws in the aircraft’s design or maintenance. Fueling their resolve is a haunting story of a mother’s premonition—a dream that eerily foretold the disaster. Represented by Beasley Allen, a U.S. law firm renowned for its Boeing 737 MAX lawsuits, families are now suing Boeing and Air India, demanding accountability. This article explores the crash, the legal battle, the mother’s dream, and the broader implications for aviation safety.
The Crash: A Devastating Loss
Flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. At 13:39 IST, the aircraft, registered VT-ANB, lifted off but reached only 625 feet before losing thrust and crashing, erupting into a fireball. The sole survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, described a loud “bang” and flickering cabin lights before the plane’s abrupt descent. The wreckage, embedded in college buildings, left a scene of devastation, with 1,000 DNA tests needed to identify remains.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on July 8, 2025, revealing that both engines’ fuel control switches moved to “CUTOFF” seconds after takeoff, causing a total power loss. Cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data captured a pilot’s confusion: “Why did you do the cut-off?” met with, “I didn’t.” Despite attempts to restore power, the crash was inevitable. The report sparked debate, with initial speculation of pilot error or sabotage, but the India Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) decried such claims as premature, defending the experienced crew—Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (15,600 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kunder.
A Mother’s Haunting Dream
Among the heart-wrenching stories is that of Hansa Parmar, a 55-year-old passenger traveling with her husband, Bhogilal, to visit their expecting son in the UK. Days before the flight, Hansa’s sister-in-law, Gomti Parmar, dreamt of a fiery crash, waking in distress. She urged Hansa not to board, but the couple dismissed it as superstition. Tragically, both perished, and Gomti, overwhelmed by grief, suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after. This premonition, shared by the Parmar family with local media, has become a poignant symbol of the families’ quest for answers, fueling their resolve to seek justice.
The story of Gomti’s dream resonates deeply in a culture where premonitions carry weight. It echoes other accounts, like that of Nganthoi, a 20-year-old cabin crew member whose family spoke of her vibrant spirit, now silenced. Such narratives underscore the personal toll, driving families to demand transparency about what caused the crash.
The Legal Battle: Why Beasley Allen?
Families of 95 victims—65 passengers and 30 ground casualties—have hired Beasley Allen, a U.S. law firm led by aviation attorney D. Michael Andrews, known for securing billions in Boeing 737 MAX settlements. Andrews, who represented families in the 2018 Lion Air and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes, is exploring product liability claims against Boeing in U.S. federal courts and Montreal Convention claims against Air India in UK courts. Hir Prajapati, who lost his mother, Kalpana Ben, emphasized the U.S. system’s speed, noting India’s trials can drag on for years.
The decision to hire a U.S. firm stems from Boeing’s history of legal accountability in American courts. The 737 MAX cases resulted in a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement in 2021, with Boeing admitting to concealing defects. Families hope Andrews’ expertise will uncover whether similar oversights contributed to AI-171’s crash. UK families, advised by Keystone Law and Wisner Law Firm, are also pursuing claims, citing Air India’s obligations under the Montreal Convention, which allows unlimited liability for passenger deaths.
Andrews disputes the AAIB’s preliminary findings, arguing that the FDR detects electrical current changes, not manual switch movements. He suggests a computer-triggered fault, possibly linked to water leaks or electrical shorts, as seen in prior Boeing service bulletins. He has filed Freedom of Information Act requests to access raw FDR and CVR data, warning that selective releases could mislead. This push for transparency aligns with calls from NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, who criticized speculative media reports.
Potential Causes: Beyond Pilot Error
The investigation has pivoted from pilot error to mechanical or software issues. Andrews cites FAA documents and Boeing service bulletins about water leaks in the 787’s couplings and tanks, which could short-circuit critical systems like the Thrust Control Module Assembly (TCMA) or Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). A 2018 FAA bulletin noted disengaged fuel switch locking mechanisms on some 787s, which Air India did not inspect, as it was not mandatory. Aviation lawyer Mary Schiavo referenced a 2019 All Nippon Airways 787 incident where a software glitch caused a dual engine shutdown, suggesting a similar fault in AI-171.
Whistleblower allegations further fuel suspicion. Sam Salehpour’s 2024 testimony accused Boeing of shortcuts in 787 production, such as forceful fuselage alignment, potentially compromising safety. While Air India’s post-crash inspections found no issues with its 33 Dreamliners, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated enhanced checks on fuel systems and engine controls, reflecting lingering concerns.
Boeing and Air India’s Response
Boeing has pledged cooperation with the AAIB, with CEO Kelly Ortberg expressing condolences. However, the company has not commented on the lawsuits, consistent with its silence during ongoing investigations. Air India, under the Tata Group, offered ₹25 lakh interim compensation per passenger and ₹1 crore ex gratia per deceased victim, including ground casualties, through the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust. The airline also suspended 83 wide-body flights for safety checks, a move praised but seen as reactive.
Human and Cultural Impact
The crash’s toll is profound. Victims included prominent figures like Vijay Rupani, former Gujarat chief minister, and ordinary families like the Parmars. The Ahmedabad-London route, vital for the Gujarati diaspora, left communities in Leicester and beyond devastated. Stories of loss, like Nganthoi’s grieving parents or Arjun Patoliya’s orphaned daughters, highlight the human cost. The sole survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, met with Andrews in Diu, symbolizing hope amid tragedy.
Culturally, the mother’s dream resonates in India, where premonitions are often seen as omens. This narrative has galvanized public support for the lawsuits, with social media posts on X reflecting outrage over Boeing’s safety record and calls for justice. One post noted, “The case could set a precedent for aviation liability across borders,” highlighting its global significance.
Implications for Aviation
The lawsuits could reshape aviation safety. If defects are proven, Boeing may face costly retrofits and stricter FAA oversight, already under scrutiny post-737 MAX. The case also tests the Montreal Convention’s application, potentially streamlining international claims. Andrews’ push for data transparency could set a standard for crash investigations, ensuring families receive unfiltered answers.
The crash has eroded trust in the 787, previously accident-free since 2011. With over 1,100 Dreamliners in service, any confirmed flaw could prompt fleet-wide inspections, impacting airlines globally. The DGCA’s proactive measures suggest India is prioritizing safety, but public confidence in Air India, recently privatized, is shaky.
Critical Perspective
The “water leak or electrical short” theory, while plausible, awaits confirmation from the AAIB’s final report, due in 2026. Speculation risks oversimplifying a complex event, as seen in early media focus on pilot error, which the AAIB and NTSB called “irresponsible.” The mother’s dream, though emotionally compelling, is anecdotal and not evidence of causation. The lawsuits’ success hinges on proving Boeing’s negligence, a high bar given the 787’s safety record and Air India’s maintenance role.
Conclusion
The Air India Flight 171 crash is a tragedy steeped in mystery and human loss, amplified by a mother’s haunting premonition. The families’ decision to hire Beasley Allen reflects a quest for justice against Boeing’s potential oversights. Whether caused by a water leak, electrical short, or another flaw, the crash demands answers. As legal battles unfold, the outcome could redefine aviation accountability, ensuring the 260 lives lost drive meaningful change. For now, the mother’s dream serves as a poignant reminder: sometimes, the heart senses what the mind cannot yet prove.
