Air India Flight 171 Engineering Defects Investigation Continues

On the morning of June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, lifted off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Within seconds, it lost thrust, veered off course, and slammed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, killing 260 people—including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground.

Honoring the Victims of Flight 171

We represent more than 125 families from India and around the world—each mourning the loss of a parent, child, sibling, or spouse.

Behind every headline and technical report are real people—passengers, crew members, and families whose lives were forever changed by the crash of Air India Flight 171. These individuals were more than statistics. They were parents, children, friends, and colleagues, each with dreams, stories, and loved ones waiting for them.

We must never lose sight of the human cost of aviation failures. Every safety lapse, every overlooked warning, and every design flaw has the potential to devastate lives. That’s why accountability matters—not just for justice, but for healing.

Safety Issues in the Sky

Long before this incident, aviation regulators had flagged potential safety issues—specifically the placement and design of the aircraft’s fuel cutoff switches. In 2018, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued warnings urging airlines to inspect the locking mechanisms on Boeing planes. Yet, despite these alerts, Boeing reportedly did not require inspections or provide replacement parts.

Further compounding the issue, internal FAA and Boeing documents dating back to 2016 reveal awareness of water leaks into critical electrical systems—areas that house computers essential to safe flight operations. These leaks could lead to electrical shorts, potentially affecting systems like the fuel cutoff switches.

While the preliminary crash report raises questions about the switches, we believe the evidence so far is inconclusive and incomplete. The possibility of an electrical short—consistent with the known history of water intrusion—must be fully investigated.

Why This Matters for Aviation Safety and Legal Reform

The Air India Flight 171 crash is not just a tragedy—it’s a wake-up call. It highlights the urgent need for:

At Beasley Allen Law Firm, we believe that corporate negligence should never be shielded by complexity or convenience. We stand with victims, families, and whistleblowers who demand answers—and we’re committed to uncovering the truth behind aviation disasters like Flight 171.