Lessons Learned: 787 Dreamliner Crash Anniversary, No Final Report
Families of the 260 fatalities continue to seek answers in the 787 Dreamliner crash a year after the June 12, 2025, air disaster.
The Air India Dreamliner crash occurred approximately 30 seconds after takeoff and, on the first anniversary, relatives of victims came together in Ahmedabad to remember their losses in the most horrific aviation disaster in a decade.
“‘It’s been 365 days since the incident. The government should have been able to tell us the root cause of the crash,’ Tanay Gajjar, who lost his mother Jaya, told Reuters.“
A news report states, “The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said it had made “significant progress” examining aircraft systems, flight recorder data, engine components, maintenance, and operational records.”
“Reuters reported last month that investigators were likely to delay a final report and instead issue only an interim update, given the probe’s complexity. A source said on Thursday the delay was tied to completing an analysis of the plane’s engines.
“Under international rules, a final report is due ‘if possible’ within a year of an accident, but if this is not met, authorities should issue an interim statement on each anniversary.
“The AAIB said it had undertaken ‘an extensive and rigorous examination’ of all technical, operational, organizational and human factors over the past one year.
“A preliminary report last year showed the Boeing 787’s engine fuel control switches moved almost simultaneously from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’, starving both engines of fuel shortly after Flight AI171 took off for London.
“A cockpit voice recording supported the view that the captain cut fuel flow to the engines, according to an early assessment by U.S. officials reported by Reuters last year.
“In an interview aired by the BBC this week, Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, father of captain Sumeet Sabharwal, pushed back against suggestions his son could be blamed.
“He said his son had flown the aircraft for years with an incident-free record. “How can you blame him?
“More than 250 relatives, representing over 100 victims, gathered at a hotel in Ahmedabad to share memories and hold a candlelight vigil.”
Situations such as this are adding to the families’ frustrations: “Vihar Parikh, 18, who lost his grandfather Chaitanya Parikh in the crash, said the family had yet to receive his phone and belongings.”
Watch the video to learn more about the 787 Dreamliner disaster:
Content and quotes source/credit: Reuters, “Air India crash: one year on, no final report timeline as families seek answers,” by Sumit Khanna and Abhijith Ganapavaram, June 12, 2026.
