A leading aviation safety expert has raised the possibility of pilot suicide in the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 274 people in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, as investigators focus on evidence suggesting deliberate human action behind the tragedy.
Expert Analysis Points to Intentional Act
Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a leading aviation expert, suggests that the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171 may have been due to deliberate human action, potentially pilot suicide. This theory has gained traction as investigators are focusing on the positions of fuel cutoff switches in the cockpit, which appear to have been manually activated during the critical moments after takeoff.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was operating a scheduled international passenger flight from Ahmedabad Airport to London Gatwick Airport when it crashed approximately thirty seconds after takeoff into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad.
Critical Evidence from Flight Data
Preliminary investigation findings reveal disturbing details about the aircraft's final moments. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft began losing altitude while maintaining a wings-level, nose-up attitude, suggesting the pilots were struggling to maintain control despite apparent mechanical issues.
The timeline of events has become crucial to understanding what transpired in the cockpit. The flight crew issued a mayday call reporting a loss of power and thrust, but the sequence of events leading to the fuel system failure remains under intense scrutiny.
Fuel System Manipulation Under Investigation
Aviation investigators are examining whether the fuel cutoff switches were deliberately activated. These switches, which can only be operated manually, appear to have been moved to the cutoff position during the critical phase of flight. The crash of Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12 may have been an intentional act, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The focus on fuel system manipulation has raised serious questions about whether one or both pilots may have deliberately caused the aircraft to lose power, leading to the catastrophic crash that killed 274 people, including 242 on board and dozens more on the ground.
Aviation Safety Expert Demands Transparency
Captain Mohan Ranganathan has been vocal about possible regulatory failures, DGCA lapses, and alleged political interference in the investigation process. The aviation safety expert has consistently called for an impartial and thorough investigation into the crash.
What exactly caused the Air India Dreamliner to crash in Ahmedabad remains a mystery, and only a comprehensive investigation can provide answers. The Boeing 787's excellent safety record has made this crash particularly puzzling for aviation authorities worldwide.
The Miracle Survivor
The crash's sole survivor, 40-year-old British citizen Vishwaskumar Ramesh, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, shortly after he walked out of the crash site. His survival has been termed miraculous given the severity of the impact and resulting explosions.
Black Box Analysis Critical
The recovery of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, or black boxes, are crucial to piece together the sequence of events. The cockpit voice recorder records pilots' conversation, emergency alarms and any distress signal made during the flight's final moments.
Investigation Status
The report is expected to be made public later this week, which may provide more clarity on whether the pilot suicide theory holds merit. The investigation has been closely watched by aviation authorities globally, given the implications for flight safety protocols and pilot mental health screening procedures.
