Why is the Air India 787 crash investigation delayed?

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Air India 787 Crash Investigation Faces Delays Amidst Criticism

The investigation into the 2025 Air India Boeing-787 crash in Ahmedabad is experiencing delays, with victims' families and pilot groups expressing frustration over the prolonged timeline and perceived lack of transparency. While an anniversary has passed, a definitive final report explaining the cause of the disaster remains elusive, with indications that only an interim report will be issued by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). This situation has led to significant criticism regarding the investigative process and the clarity of findings thus far.
Ongoing Investigations and Interim Reporting

Despite the expectation of a final report by a significant anniversary, the AAIB's investigation into the crash that killed 260 people is still ongoing. Local media reports suggest that the agency will only release an interim report, a development that has intensified the frustration of victims' families who are seeking clear answers regarding the disaster. This approach of issuing preliminary and interim findings without a conclusive final report has been a point of contention.
Criticism Regarding Transparency and Investigation Team

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), representing a significant number of pilots, has voiced strong criticism regarding the transparency of the investigation. FIP president Charanvir Randhawa has openly stated a lack of trust in the process, citing concerns about the composition of the initial investigation team. The FIP has also questioned the decision to interview the family of one of the deceased pilots, suggesting a deviation from standard investigative practices and a potential lack of impartiality.
Questions Surrounding Preliminary Findings

A preliminary report published by the AAIB on July 12, 2025, indicated that the fuel supply to the jet's engines was cut off moments before impact. This finding, coupled with the release of a conversation between the captain and co-pilot discussing the fuel cutoff, has fueled speculation, including theories of pilot suicide. However, critics argue that this report is "profoundly flawed" as it does not adequately explain the reason for the fuel switches being turned off, failing to differentiate between potential pilot error and a possible system malfunction.
Calls for Broader Technical and Electrical Failure Investigations

The father of one of the pilots, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, has filed a petition in India's Supreme Court, arguing that the preliminary report unfairly focused on the pilots while neglecting to thoroughly examine other plausible technical and procedural causes. In line with this concern, the FIP has submitted a letter to the aviation ministry advocating for further investigation to specifically rule out electrical failure as a potential cause of the crash. This highlights a demand for a more comprehensive examination of all possible contributing factors beyond immediate human error.

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Why is the Air India 787 crash investigation delayed?

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