Families of the 260 people who died in last year’s Air India crash near Ahmedabad, India, marked the first anniversary of the disaster on Friday amid ongoing uncertainty about the cause. The Boeing 787 flight, bound for London, crashed into a medical college shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 241 passengers and crew, along with 19 individuals on the ground. It remains India’s deadliest aviation accident in recent decades.
In Ahmedabad, relatives gathered at the crash site and organized prayer vigils to remember the victims. Many expressed frustration and grief over the lack of definitive answers from the ongoing investigation. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) announced that the final report on the crash was not yet complete, citing continued analysis of evidence and examination results. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu assured that the probe was progressing with diligence and professionalism.
The preliminary report, published a month after the accident, highlighted that the fuel supply to the jet’s engines was cut off moments before impact, causing the loss of thrust. The document included a brief exchange between the captain and co-pilot discussing the fuel cut-off, which raised questions about whether the switch-off was accidental, due to malfunction, or deliberate. However, the report did not determine why the fuel switches had been turned off or attribute responsibility. This ambiguity has sparked speculation and criticism, with some viewing pilot error or intentional action as possibilities, while several aviation professionals caution against drawing conclusions without full evidence.
Among the victims were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, both experienced pilots with nearly 10,000 flight hours combined. The aircraft reportedly climbed only to about 625 feet before descending rapidly. Experts note that the fuel cutoff switches have locking mechanisms, making accidental activation unlikely, though some pilots argue that assigning blame prematurely is unfair.
Families of the deceased remain deeply affected by the tragedy. At the crash site, mourners laid flowers and lit candles, recalling loved ones. Sitaben Patni, who lost her 14-year-old son Akash near their tea stall by the medical college, showed visible burn scars from the incident and shared memories of their final moments. Other families expressed skepticism about the value of forthcoming reports, fearing delays and inadequate explanations.
Legal representatives for some relatives have indicated efforts to secure full disclosure of facts and accountability, emphasizing that understanding the cause is vital not only for closure but also to prevent future tragedies. Meanwhile, Air India, now under the ownership of the Tata Group, has provided compensation to most victims’ families. While some accept the financial offer, many say monetary settlements cannot replace lost loved ones or provide justice.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities stressing that thorough examination is essential to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the crash. As the community continues to mourn, the search for clarity persists amidst complex technical and human factors surrounding this catastrophic accident.