Air India Crash 2025 Investigation: Full Timeline and Latest Findings
The Air India crash 2025 investigation has become one of the most closely watched aviation probes in years after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner tragically crashed on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people and leaving only one survivor. The accident, which happened just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad for London, is the deadliest air crash worldwide in over a decade.
A preliminary report, released on July 12, has revealed critical information about the final moments of the doomed flight — especially what may have gone wrong inside the cockpit that led to the sudden loss of both engines.
What Happened During the Air India Crash 2025?
According to initial findings, the Air India Dreamliner’s engines were running normally until seconds after liftoff, when the plane’s fuel cutoff switches unexpectedly flipped from run to cutoff. This sudden switch starved both engines of fuel at the same time, resulting in immediate engine failure.
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off, only to hear a response denying any action. So far, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has not identified whether this was due to human error, a technical malfunction, or some other anomaly.
Air India Crash 2025 Investigation: Key Events Timeline
Here’s the complete breakdown of what has unfolded so far:
🔹 June 12, 2025
- Air India Flight AI-918, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, takes off from Ahmedabad International Airport bound for London.
- Minutes after takeoff, the aircraft loses thrust as both engines shut down.
- The plane crashes into a densely populated area near the city, killing 260 passengers and crew. Only one passenger survives with critical injuries.
🔹 June 13, 2025
- India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) opens an official investigation.
- A multi-disciplinary team is formed, including the AAIB director general, an aviation medicine expert, air traffic control officers, and a team from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist with technical expertise.
- The search for the aircraft’s two black box recorders begins immediately.
🔹 June 16, 2025
- The first black box unit — containing critical cockpit voice and flight data — is found on the rooftop of a residential building near the crash site.
- The second black box is later recovered from deeper debris.
🔹 June 24, 2025
- Both black boxes are transported by Indian Air Force aircraft to the AAIB’s advanced lab in New Delhi.
- Technical teams begin carefully extracting data, prioritizing the forward unit’s memory module which holds the cockpit voice recording.
🔹 June 25, 2025
- The memory module from the forward black box is successfully accessed.
- This unit’s independent backup power supply kept recording for about 10 minutes after main aircraft power was lost — a crucial factor in capturing the final cockpit dialogue.
🔹 July 12, 2025
- The AAIB releases its preliminary report.
- No immediate technical faults are identified with the aircraft’s airframe or its GE engines, so no urgent advisories are issued to Boeing or GE.
- The report confirms that the engines were deprived of fuel due to the cutoff switches being flipped mid-flight — an extremely rare occurrence.
- Audio transcripts reveal one pilot asking: “Why did you cut the fuel?” — the other responding: “I didn’t.”
- The report does not clarify which pilot made which statement, nor does it confirm who sent out the final “Mayday” call before impact.
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What Happens Next?
A final report into the Air India crash 2025 investigation is expected within 12 months. Aviation experts believe it will focus on several possible angles:
- Human error: Did one of the pilots accidentally flip the switches?
- Cockpit design flaw: Could the switches be unintentionally triggered due to their location?
- Mechanical failure: Was there an electrical or software glitch that commanded the cutoff?
- Sabotage or tampering: Investigators have not ruled out deliberate action but have found no evidence yet.
Meanwhile, Boeing and GE are providing full technical support to the AAIB. Families of victims continue to demand accountability and compensation, with lawsuits already being prepared internationally.
Why This Crash Matters Globally
The Air India crash 2025 investigation is being watched closely by airlines worldwide because the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the world’s most commonly used long-haul aircraft. Any safety concern could have huge implications for global fleets.
Aviation experts say the final report will likely shape new cockpit safety checks, crew training protocols, and possibly even aircraft design improvements to prevent accidental fuel shutoffs.
Stay Updated on the Air India Crash 2025 Investigation
Aviation regulators, airlines, and the families of victims are all waiting for answers. The next updates are expected when the AAIB releases its interim findings in a few months.
