After an Italian media report claimed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) final report will name one of the pilots' action as reason for Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the probe agency has dismissed the claims as "incorrect and speculative".
The aviation probe agency urged media organisations to exercise restraint and avoid premature speculation. It warned that unverified reporting could lead to unnecessary public anxiety and undermine the probe.
Underlining its transparency and integrity, the AAIB said its enquiry is strictly carried out in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025, and ICAO Annex 13, which governs international standards for aviation accident probes.
Citing Western aviation agencies, the report by Italy-based Corriere della Sera alleged that Indian investigators are preparing to state that the AI 171 crash in June 2025 occurred after one of the pilots turned off the fuel switches intentionally.
Air India's London-bound Boeing 787-8 flight AI171, was operated by pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Captain Clive Kunder. The crash took place soon after after the plane took off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board.
In another development, Air India has initiated the process for providing final compensation to the families of those who died in the AI 171 plane crash. As per the process, those willing to accept the compensation have to give up any future claims against the airline, original equipment manufacturers and government agencies in relation to the crash.
Air India on Thursday said the final compensation being offered to families will be "fair and in accordance with the law".
"Following initial interim payments of Rs 25 lakh to families of the deceased, and with the process of ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore from The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust being underway, Air India has initiated the final compensation process," Air India stated.