Indian authorities investigate possible sabotage in Air India crash that killed 274

Indian investigators are exploring all possibilities, including sabotage, following the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner near Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 274 lives. The aircraft, bound for London, crashed into accommodation at BJ Medical College shortly after takeoff, marking the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 globally.

India’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe and will analyze the plane’s black boxes within the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"The black box will not go anywhere," Mohol stated, dismissing speculation that it would be sent abroad for examination. "It is in AAIB's custody and there is no need to send it outside. We will do the entire investigation."

The investigation began extracting data from the flight recorders on June 24. The crash-protected memory unit from the front recorder has been successfully accessed, and the analysis of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) is ongoing. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and assessing all angles with the involvement of several agencies.

Mohol described the incident as a "rare case," emphasizing that both engines failing simultaneously is unprecedented. "Once the (probe) report comes, we will be able to ascertain if it was an engine problem or fuel supply issue or why both the engines had stopped functioning," he said. He also highlighted that the CVR contains the pilots’ recorded conversations, which will be crucial to the investigation. “It is too early to say anything but whatever it is, it will come out. The report will come in three months."

The crash has drawn criticism over delays in releasing findings and a perceived lack of transparency. Under ICAO international regulations, a preliminary report is expected within 30 days of a crash, with the final report due within 12 months.

Investigators are considering multiple potential causes, including dual engine failure possibly from fuel contamination, technical malfunctions, sabotage, maintenance errors, or inadvertent pilot actions. Bird strikes have been ruled out.

Other theories under review include improper flap or landing gear configuration, maintenance errors, or inadvertent crew actions.

By Vafa Guliyeva