A legal representative for the families of those lost in the Air India Flight 171 disaster has challenged the prevailing narrative that pilot error or sabotage caused the crash, proposing a systemic electrical failure as a more probable cause.
Challenging the Official Narrative
Mike Andrews, an aviation accident lawyer representing 130 families of the victims, visited the UK to meet distraught relatives. He labelled theories focusing on the pilots as "just rank speculation and conjecture" that is harming the families' search for truth. The crash on June 12 killed all 260 people on board the Ahmedabad to London service, including 52 British nationals.
This stance directly counters a controversial preliminary report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released in July. That report noted the Boeing 787's fuel switches moved to 'cut-off' immediately after take-off and included a cockpit exchange where one pilot asked, "why did he cutoff," to which the other replied, "he did not do so." This has fuelled speculation of pilot involvement, a position echoed by Air India's management.
Evidence Pointing to an Electrical Issue
Andrews and his US-based team, having analysed available evidence and spoken with whistleblowers, argue an electrical fault is the "more likely" cause. He cited the complexity of the 787 and a history of documented issues with the aircraft model as grounds for concern.
Key evidence highlighted includes testimony from the crash's sole survivor, British man Viswashkumar Ramesh, who described lights flickering and turning a "greenish hue." Andrews suggested this could indicate a switch from primary to emergency backup power. Furthermore, video evidence appears to show the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, which should only activate in events like a major electrical failure.
The lawyer also raised concerns about known water leakage issues into electrical compartments on 787s. Notably, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had ordered mandatory checks for such leaks in May 2025, just a month before the fatal crash.
Families Await Answers and Compensation
Andrews described families in Leicester and beyond as "desperate for answers" and any personal effects from the wreckage. Many lost primary breadwinners and now face financial uncertainty alongside their grief.
While most families have received an interim compensation payment of around £20,000 from Air India, a subsequent voluntary payment of £85,000 pledged by the airline's owner, Tata Group, has reached far fewer. The Tata Group states over 110 families have now received funds from its dedicated trust.
Boeing has consistently maintained the 787's safety, deferring to the ongoing AAIB investigation. The AAIB defended its preliminary report, stating it was meant only to state facts, not assign blame, and that a final report with root causes is pending.
Andrews' firm continues its journey to meet more relatives, vowing to rigorously pursue any responsible entity once the full facts are established by the final investigation report.
