A year after the crash of Air India Flight AI171, families who lost loved ones in one of India's deadliest aviation disasters say they are still searching for the answers that have eluded them since the tragedy unfolded.
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A year after the crash of Air India Flight AI171, families who lost loved ones in one of India's deadliest aviation disasters say they are still searching for the answers that have eluded them since the tragedy unfolded.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June 2025, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew members and individuals on the ground. As the first anniversary passes, relatives say the absence of a final investigation report has prolonged their grief and left critical questions unresolved.
Several families in the UK city of Leicester, which lost multiple residents in the crash, have told the BBC that understanding what happened remains their primary concern.
For many relatives, financial compensation has become secondary to understanding the circumstances that led to the disaster.
Among those killed was Nusratjahan Jethara, a Leicester resident travelling on AI171. Speaking to the BBC, her husband Mohammed Shoeb Iproliya said he continues to struggle with the loss and remains focused on discovering why the aircraft crashed.
According to the broadcaster, Iproliya said he wants accountability and a clear explanation of what happened rather than financial settlement.
He described Jethara as a person who loved travelling and spending time with friends, adding that the couple had planned to build a future together in the UK.
The emotional impact of the tragedy remains evident one year later, with relatives describing daily reminders of loved ones whose lives ended unexpectedly.
The crash had a particularly deep impact on Leicester's Indian-origin community, where several victims lived.
Pragna Devji, who lost both her parents, Devji Lacmane and Vanita Cana, told the BBC that she still finds herself expecting daily phone calls from her mother.
Her husband, Ashvin Dhiru, recalled Lacmane's reputation within the local community, describing him as someone who regularly helped others and was widely known among customers at the Leicester shop where he worked.
Another victim, Faizan Rafik, was remembered by family members as a cheerful and positive presence. His cousin, Sameer Rafik, told the BBC that the family continues to live with unanswered questions surrounding the accident.
Relatives interviewed by the broadcaster said the publication of a final report is important not only for accountability but also for improving aviation safety and preventing future tragedies.
While investigators have yet to release a final report, preliminary findings have identified a key event that occurred moments after take-off.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), both engine fuel control switches moved to the "cut-off" position shortly after the aircraft became airborne.
The action interrupted fuel supply to the engines.
Facts established through official findings so far include:
The preliminary report did not determine why the switches moved, leaving one of the most important questions in the investigation unanswered.
The victims included citizens from multiple countries, underlining the international dimension of the tragedy.
According to Air India, those who lost their lives included:
The crash drew attention from aviation regulators and safety investigators globally because it involved a modern long-haul aircraft and occurred during a critical phase of flight.
As a result, the final findings are expected to be closely examined across the aviation industry.
Marking the anniversary, Air India said the memory of AI171 continues to be felt across the organisation.
In a statement cited by Aviation A2Z, the airline said it remains in solidarity with affected families and communities and continues to prioritise support for those impacted by the tragedy.
The carrier added that it remains united in mourning those who lost their lives.
For families, however, remembrance is accompanied by a continued search for clarity. One year after AI171 crashed, many relatives say closure will only come when investigators fully explain how and why the disaster occurred. Until then, the wait for answers continues alongside the grief left by one of the most devastating aviation accidents in recent years.
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