🚨 BOMBSHELL UPDATE in Air India Flight 171 tragedy: Police & investigators now have “FULL EVIDENCE” pointing to one pilot DELIBERATELY shutting off the fuel switches right after takeoff?! 😱

According to shocking reports, the final probe is set to conclude this was an “almost certainly intentional” act by the captain—causing both engines to fail seconds into the flight, leading to the catastrophic crash that claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad last June.

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A major development in the investigation into the June 12, 2025, crash of Air India Flight 171 has surfaced, with an Italian newspaper reporting that Indian authorities are preparing to conclude in their final report that one of the pilots intentionally shut off the aircraft’s fuel control switches shortly after takeoff, leading to the loss of both engines and the deaths of 260 people.

The Italian daily Corriere della Sera, citing sources familiar with discussions between Indian investigators and U.S. aviation experts, reported on February 12, 2026, that the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was “almost certainly” the result of a deliberate act rather than a mechanical failure. The primary focus is on the aircraft’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, who perished in the incident along with 240 others on board and 19 people on the ground when the plane plunged into a medical college hostel near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Key evidence cited in the report includes enhanced cockpit voice recorder (CVR) audio, from which background noise was removed, allegedly identifying which pilot moved the fuel switches from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position. The preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in July 2025 noted that the switches for both engines were flipped within one second of each other seconds after liftoff, starving the engines of fuel and causing a rapid loss of thrust.

The CVR captured a brief exchange: one pilot asking why the fuel had been cut off, with the other responding, “I did not do so.” According to the Italian publication, U.S. experts assisting the probe described the findings as a “breakthrough,” ruling out technical defects after extensive analysis of flight data recorders, wreckage, and simulator tests.

The crash occurred on a flight bound for London Gatwick, with 242 people on board—only one passenger survived. The aircraft reached an altitude of about 625 feet before descending rapidly, crashing into a residential and institutional area and igniting a fire that complicated rescue efforts.

The AAIB’s preliminary findings emphasized that the fuel cutoff switches—designed with guards to prevent accidental operation—were physically moved, not triggered by any electronic or hydraulic malfunction. No evidence of bird strikes, fuel contamination, or engine issues was found. Simulator recreations reportedly showed that once the switches were cut, recovery was impossible in the brief time available.

However, the AAIB swiftly pushed back against the Italian report’s characterization. In a statement on February 12, 2026, the bureau described claims that the investigation is complete or has reached definitive conclusions as “incorrect and speculative.” The agency stressed that the probe remains ongoing, with no final report issued, and urged media restraint to avoid causing undue public anxiety or compromising the process. The final document, which will include root causes and safety recommendations, will be released only upon completion, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

The suggestion of intentional action has raised profound questions about pilot mental health screening and cockpit protocols. Reports indicate Captain Sabharwal had reportedly experienced depression in the month prior to the flight, though no direct link has been confirmed. Aviation experts note that deliberate fuel cutoff is extremely rare and difficult to execute unnoticed, given the switches’ design and the presence of a co-pilot.

Critics of the emerging narrative point to potential alternative explanations. Some aviation analysts have referenced a separate incident involving an Air India Boeing 787 where a fuel control switch slipped due to a mechanical defect, documented in maintenance logs. Others argue that electrical disturbances or undetected anomalies could mimic intentional movement, though the preliminary report found the switches mechanically sound.

The case has drawn parallels to other high-profile incidents involving alleged pilot suicide, such as EgyptAir Flight 990 in 1999 or Germanwings Flight 9525 in 2015, prompting renewed calls for enhanced psychological evaluations, two-person cockpit rules during vulnerable phases, and real-time monitoring. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has not announced immediate policy changes but is monitoring the probe closely.

Families of victims have expressed mixed reactions. Some demand swift accountability and transparency, while others caution against premature blame on the deceased captain, whose family has questioned the independence of the investigation. Over 140 families are represented in legal actions seeking compensation, with Air India having disbursed interim payments of Rs 25 lakh to many.

The sole survivor, whose identity remains protected, has provided statements to investigators, though details are limited. Wreckage analysis continues at AAIB facilities, with international cooperation from Boeing, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and other partners.

As speculation swirls—fueled by leaks and media reports—the official stance remains clear: the investigation is evidence-based and far from concluded. Authorities emphasize that aviation safety improvements, not finger-pointing, are the priority.

The tragedy of Flight 171 continues to haunt India’s aviation community and the families left behind. With the final report still pending, the world watches for answers that could reshape pilot oversight and prevent future heartbreak.