Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has appealed for restraint and patience as investigations continue into the tragic Air India crash on June 12 that claimed 274 lives, including 19 people on the ground. Addressing the Lok Sabha, the minister acknowledged the various theories circulating about the cause of the crash but emphasized the need to “respect the process of investigation.”
Naidu reassured Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is handling the inquiry in a transparent and fact-based manner. “We have seen multiple articles, not just from Indian media, but also from international outlets pushing their own narratives,” he said, underlining the government’s commitment to truth and evidence-led conclusions.
The minister’s statement comes amid rising concerns sparked by a preliminary AAIB report. According to the report, the crash occurred just 32 seconds after takeoff, with both of the aircraft’s fuel control switches moving from the ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ positions within a second of each other — effectively cutting power to the engines during a critical phase of flight.
International media, particularly the Wall Street Journal, have reported on a cockpit voice recording that allegedly captured the First Officer asking Captain Sabharwal why he moved the fuel switches — an action the captain reportedly denied. However, these claims have been strongly refuted in India. The AAIB criticized such coverage as “selective,” “unverified,” and “irresponsible,” warning that it undermines the integrity of the ongoing investigation and stokes unnecessary public anxiety about Indian aviation safety.
The pilots’ union also slammed the reports, stating there is no official confirmation of such cockpit exchanges. Meanwhile, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is collaborating with the AAIB, cautioned against “premature” and “speculative” media coverage, although it did not single out any specific reports.
Importantly, the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the model involved in the crash, are designed to be manually operated and cannot shift positions accidentally. Following the preliminary findings, Indian aviation authorities have directed airlines operating similar aircraft to inspect all fuel regulation switches as a precautionary measure.
As the final AAIB report is still awaited, Minister Naidu stressed the importance of allowing the investigation to conclude before drawing any conclusions, urging the public and media alike to avoid spreading speculative narratives.
