Air India AI-171 Probe: Investigators Eye “Intentional” Engine Shutdown in Final Report

The mystery of the June 12, 2025, Air India crash in Ahmedabad has taken a chilling turn. Fresh reports on Thursday, February 12, 2026, suggest that investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and US-based experts have identified a “manual intervention” that caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to plunge into a medical hostel just seconds after takeoff.

While the aviation community remains divided, the investigation is moving toward a conclusion that challenges the initial theories of mechanical failure.

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Breakthrough or Blame? The “Intentional Act” Findings

According to reports published by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera and echoed by Indian outlets, the investigation has reached a “desired turning point.”

• The Audio Proof: Advanced audio “cleaning” conducted at NTSB labs in Washington reportedly identified which pilot moved the fuel switches.

• The Suspect: The report names Captain Sumeet Sabharwal as the main suspect, citing that he was the “pilot monitoring” (with free hands) while First Officer Clive Kunder was the “pilot flying.”

• Sequence of Events: Data shows the left engine shut down first, followed immediately by the right, a sequence that simulator tests allegedly failed to replicate through any known technical glitch.

Technical vs. Human: The Battle Over the Fuel Switches

The focus remains on the fuel control switches located on the center pedestal.

1. Mechanical Defense: Critics and pilot associations point to a report by the Foundation for Aviation Safety which claimed the specific aircraft (VT-ANB) had an 11-year history of electrical and software faults.

2. Intentionality: Proponents of the human-error theory argue that the switches are protected by a mechanical guard rail. They must be physically lifted and moved, making an accidental “bump” nearly impossible.

3. The Final Words: The CVR captured one pilot asking, “Why did you turn off the engines?” with the other responding, “It wasn’t me.”

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Supreme Court Update: A Three-Week Deadline for Truth

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Supreme Court of India stepped in to bring order to the chaos.

• The Timeline: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the probe is in its final stages. The SC has granted the AAIB three weeks to conclude its findings.

• Protecting Dignity: Chief Justice Surya Kant cautioned against “nasty” reportage targeting the deceased pilots, emphasizing that the probe’s goal is to find the cause, not to “impute motive.”

• Sabharwal Family’s Plea: The 91-year-old father of Captain Sabharwal has moved the apex court for an independent, judicially-monitored probe, calling the current investigation flawed and biased.

The Mental Health Factor: New Industry Mandates

Regardless of the final verdict, the AI-171 disaster has already forced a paradigm shift in Indian aviation.

• Depression Screening: The DGCA is expected to mandate psychological evaluations every six months for commercial pilots, rather than once a year.

• Peer Support: Airlines are now required to implement “Pilot Support Programs” where crew members can report mental health struggles without fear of immediate grounding or job loss.

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[AI-171 INVESTIGATION: KEY MILESTONES]

Next Steps

If you are a relative of an AI-171 victim, you should consult with legal counsel before signing any liability waivers currently being offered by the airline, as the Supreme Court is still reviewing the case. Furthermore, if you are a pilot, you should stay informed about the new mental health reporting protocols expected to be issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry by the end of this month.

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