The investigation into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash has reached its final stage, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation informing Parliament that inspections conducted by Boeing and the aircraft's Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) found no defect in the aircraft's fuel control switch.
The update was shared during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the government stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and no final cause of the accident has been established.
Responding to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said a detailed examination of the fuel control switch and its associated locking mechanism had been completed.
According to the government, Boeing and the OEM inspected the component, including the strength of its locking detents, and found no abnormality or mechanical defect.
The inspection means investigators have not identified evidence of a malfunction in the fuel control switch during the examination completed so far.
The detailed inspection was initiated after an Air India pilot reported a possible issue involving the same system during a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru in February 2026.
Following the report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instructed airlines to carry out detailed inspections as part of ongoing safety oversight.
According to the government's statement in Parliament, the examination of the AI-171 aircraft's fuel control switch formed part of this broader safety review.
While the fuel control switch has been cleared during the inspection, investigators are continuing technical analysis of other critical aircraft systems.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation:
Officials said the ongoing investigation covers multiple aspects of the flight, including aircraft systems, operational factors and technical evidence.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues to lead the investigation into the crash.
The government told Parliament the final investigation report has not been delayed, explaining that major aircraft accident investigations involve extensive technical analysis and are not completed within a fixed timeframe.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, investigators are examining:
Officials said every area is being assessed before determining the cause of the accident.
The AI-171 crash occurred on 12 June 2026, shortly after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed Ahmedabad for London Gatwick.
The accident claimed 260 lives, making it one of India's worst aviation disasters in recent years.
Since the crash, multiple agencies, including aviation regulators, aircraft manufacturer Boeing and technical specialists, have been supporting the investigation under the leadership of the AAIB.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the AAIB will publish its final report on completion of the investigation.
According to the government, the report will include the bureau's findings, technical analysis and safety recommendations intended to strengthen aviation safety and help prevent similar accidents in future.
While the latest inspection has ruled out defects in the fuel control switch, investigators have emphasised that the inquiry remains active, with the final cause of the AI-171 crash yet to be determined.
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