Air India 171 crash: CEO Campbell Wilson says ‘not a moment gone by without thinking of the victims'— but final answers still awaited

Time of India

14-07-2025

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has said the probe into last month's fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner near Ahmedabad is still ongoing, and it is too early to reach any conclusions. In an internal memo sent to staff, Wilson noted that the preliminary report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) identified no cause and made no recommendations.
Wilson described the days since the crash as 'a period in which not a moment has gone by without thinking of the passengers, friends, colleagues, and wider community who were lost or injured.' He added that the report brought both clarity and fresh questions.
The AAIB's initial findings revealed that the aircraft's fuel cutoff switches flipped unexpectedly moments after takeoff, which cut fuel to both engines and caused the aircraft to crash, killing 260 people.
Report clears aircraft, fuel and maintenance processes
The CEO stressed that the report found no mechanical problems, no fuel quality issues, and no abnormality during the take-off roll. The aircraft's mandatory maintenance checks had all been completed. Pilots had passed breathalyser tests and had no flagged medical conditions before the flight.
Wilson stated that out of precaution, Air India had inspected all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet after the crash. 'All aircraft were found fit for service,' he said. 'We continue to perform all necessary checks, and will act on any new suggestions from authorities.'
CEO urges staff to avoid speculation and stay focused
Wilson urged staff to avoid drawing early conclusions from the report. 'Until a final report or cause is tabled, there will no doubt be new rounds of speculation and sensational headlines,' he said. 'We must remain focused on our task — supporting those affected and delivering safe, reliable service.'
He acknowledged that media reports had triggered renewed speculation, but encouraged staff to instead focus on Air India's values of integrity, teamwork, innovation, and customer service.
Wider scrutiny and ALPA's call for fair inquiry
The airline is under close scrutiny following the crash. On July 4, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency announced a probe into Air India Express after reports emerged that it failed to replace engine parts on time and misrepresented compliance records.
Meanwhile, ALPA India, representing Indian pilots within the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations, rejected early assumptions of pilot error in the Ahmedabad crash. ALPA President Sam Thomas urged for a fact-based probe and said the pilots' body should be allowed to participate as observers in the investigation.
As the investigation continues, Air India says it will cooperate fully while urging staff and media to avoid premature assumptions.