Campaigners and family members of those killed in last year’s Air India crash are disputing the theory that the disaster was caused by deliberate pilot actions, as investigators prepare to release a final report into the crash. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in June 2025, killing all 260 people on board.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) conducted an initial inquiry and issued a preliminary report shortly after the incident, citing a transition of the aircraft’s fuel control switches from "run" to "cutoff" soon after takeoff. This finding prompted speculation that the pilot might have intentionally cut off fuel supply, leading to the crash. However, the switches were later recovered from the wreckage in the "run" position, adding complexity to the interpretation.

The final, comprehensive investigative report is expected to be released by October. Meanwhile, pilot unions, victim advocacy groups, and air safety campaigners suggest that a serious electrical malfunction may have played a central role in the accident. C S Randhawa, president of the Federation of Indian Pilots and a former Air India aviator, contends that the investigation’s focus on the fuel control switches is misguided and insists an electrical failure requires closer scrutiny.

Further attention has been drawn to the plane’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency device that deploys during major power loss. The preliminary report noted that the RAT was activated during the initial climb, suggesting the aircraft experienced significant system failure independent of pilot control. Ed Pierson, executive director of the Foundation for Aviation Safety and a former Boeing manager, stated that the RAT deployment indicates an emergency condition likely involving loss of power or hydraulics.

Victims’ lawyers have urged U.S. authorities for the release of Boeing simulator test results, noting that these tests suggest the RAT deployment preceded any fuel supply interruption, which might imply mechanical faults occurred before the fuel system was affected. This theory challenges the notion of intentional pilot action and points instead to possible design, manufacturing, or maintenance issues.

Boeing and Air India declined detailed comment pending the final investigation report, citing aviation regulations governing ongoing inquiries. Honeywell, the manufacturer of the fuel control switches, also refrained from comment, while legal actions have been initiated against both Boeing and Honeywell by victims’ groups.

The crash is notable as the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 out of more than 1,200 aircraft produced. It adds further pressure on Boeing, following prior scrutiny over issues linked to the 737 Max and other recent incidents.

Air India, majority-owned by the Tata Group and part-owned by Singapore Airlines, continues to face operational and financial challenges exacerbated by the crash. Following a thorough audit by India’s aviation regulator, around 100 safety lapses were identified across Air India’s fleet, including some classified as serious violations. The airline has acknowledged these findings and reaffirmed its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

The accident’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with roughly 15,000 flight hours, including extensive Dreamliner experience, has been a focal point in public discussions. Sabharwal’s family, notably his father Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, a former aviation safety official, has criticized investigators for implying pilot culpability without conclusive evidence and has condemned what they view as improper speculation.

Data recovered from the aircraft revealed multiple automated maintenance alerts during its brief flight, which pilot groups have requested Boeing help interpret. An existing U.S. patent related to the 787’s fuel system even suggests scenarios in which fuel supply can be cut automatically without pilot input, further complicating the question of responsibility.

Eyewitness accounts and survivor testimony describe electrical anomalies in flight, including flickering lights and other system disruptions, lending weight to theories of an onboard malfunction prior to the crash.

Experts caution that definitive conclusions cannot be drawn until the final report is published. Investigation timelines and international treaty restrictions limit public disclosure in the meantime.

The possibility remains that pilot action, whether deliberate or inadvertent, or mechanical failure contributed to the tragedy. The 2015 Germanwings crash, caused by a suicidal copilot, is often cited as precedent for pilot-caused disasters. However, those close to Captain Sabharwal assert their firm belief in mechanical failure as the primary cause.

As the investigation nears completion, the aviation community and families await official findings that will clarify if the tragedy resulted from human error, aircraft malfunction, or a combination of factors.