Lawsuits Filed Against Boeing and Honeywell for Deadly Air India Crash in June, Claiming 260 Lives
In a heartbreaking incident on June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 bound for London, met with a devastating crash in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The incident resulted in the loss of 260 lives, leaving families and friends in mourning.
The wreckage of the ill-fated flight is still visible at the crash site in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters has contributed to this report, providing updates on the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.
One survivor of the crash described their survival as a 'miracle'. However, the only survivor's account does not shed light on the cause of the disaster.
The preliminary report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) states that Air India had not conducted the suggested inspections, as recommended by the 2018 Federal Aviation Administration advisory. The advisory suggested inspecting the locking mechanism of the fuel cutoff switches for several Boeing models, including the 787, but did not mandate the inspections.
The lawsuit filed by the families of four victims in the U.S. alleges that Boeing and Honeywell, the manufacturers of the aircraft and its components, are responsible for the crash. The lawsuit points to the fuel cutoff switches, claiming they are in a location in the cockpit where they may be inadvertently pushed, potentially leading to fuel cutoff.
Maintenance records show that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash. However, the available information does not specify which company manufactured the fuel switches for Air India Flight 171 that crashed in 2025.
The cockpit voice recording shows one pilot asking another why fuel was cut off, to which the other pilot responded that they did not do so. Aviation safety experts told Reuters that the switches cannot be accidentally flipped based on their location and design.
Boeing and Honeywell have not provided any official comments on the matter, with Boeing referring FOX Business to the report and Honeywell not immediately responding to a FOX Business inquiry.
The thick black smoke observed rising from a residential area after the crash adds to the severity of the incident. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but the preliminary report suggests a software fault and automated control systems cutting off fuel as the probable cause.
The tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and the need for continuous improvement in aviation safety measures. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
Read also:
- Federal Funding Supports Increase in Family Medicine Residency Program, Focusing on Rural Health Developments
- Potential Role of DHA in Shielding the Brain from Saturated Fats?
- Alternative Gentle Retinoid: Exploring Bakuchiol Salicylate for Sensitive Skin
- Hanoi initiates a trial program for rabies control, along with efforts to facilitate the transition from the dog and cat meat trade industry.
