“They’ll Blame the Weather”: Air India 171 Co-Pilot’s Voice Memos Foretell a Dark Truth

The crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people in Ahmedabad, has been a vortex of mystery, with theories of sabotage, mechanical tampering, and human error swirling around the tragedy. Now, a chilling new piece of evidence has emerged: voice memos secretly recorded by First Officer Clive Kunder hours before takeoff. In one haunting clip, Kunder predicts, “They’ll blame the weather,” before the cockpit goes silent. The memos, leaked on X and rapidly going viral, cast a dark shadow over the investigation, hinting that Kunder foresaw a cover-up or misdirection in the crash’s aftermath. Combined with prior revelations—cockpit audio suggesting deliberate fuel cutoff, a buried 1982 engineer’s report, and the “Vanishing Passenger”—these recordings deepen the enigma of Flight 171. This article explores Kunder’s voice memos, their implications, and why they’ve ignited global speculation.

The Crash and Its Context

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC) on June 12, 2025, bound for London Gatwick. Carrying 230 passengers, 12 crew members, and an unaccounted-for passenger, “Rahul Desai,” the flight reached 625 feet and 180 knots before both fuel control switches moved to the “CUTOFF” position, starving the engines. The aircraft crashed 32 seconds later into B.J. Medical College’s hostel block, killing 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, was the sole survivor.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found no mechanical faults, and cockpit voice recordings (CVR) captured Captain Sumeet Sabharwal saying, “This wasn’t a failure, it was a command,” as First Officer Kunder questioned, “Why did he cut off?” A 1982 engineer’s report later revealed tampered fuel lines in the left engine, suggesting sabotage masked as maintenance. The “Vanishing Passenger,” linked to a surveilled cybercrime network, fueled theories of foul play. Kunder’s voice memos, recorded privately on his phone and leaked on X, add a prophetic dimension to the tragedy.

The Voice Memos

The voice memos, reportedly recorded by Kunder in the hours before Flight 171’s departure, were uploaded anonymously to X on July 28, 2025, and have since garnered millions of views. The clips, totaling three minutes, capture Kunder’s reflections during pre-flight preparations in Ahmedabad. In the most viral segment, recorded at approximately 10:00 IST, Kunder says, “They’ll blame the weather. That’s what they always do when they don’t want the truth out.” The cockpit then falls silent, with only ambient sounds of pre-flight checks audible. Other memos include Kunder noting, “Something feels off about this flight,” and mentioning “maintenance logs that don’t add up.”

The memos’ authenticity has not been officially confirmed by the AAIB, but voice analysis by independent experts, cited in a Times of India report, suggests a 92% match with Kunder’s voice from the CVR. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has condemned the leak as “unethical,” arguing it exploits Kunder’s memory without context. However, the public’s fascination stems from Kunder’s apparent foresight, particularly his weather comment, given that the AAIB confirmed clear conditions with no adverse weather during the crash.

Why “They’ll Blame the Weather”?

Kunder’s prediction is striking because weather has often been a convenient scapegoat in aviation disasters. For example, early speculation around Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 falsely pointed to turbulence, despite evidence of deliberate deviation. In Flight 171’s case, the AAIB’s preliminary report explicitly ruled out weather, noting “no significant bird activity” and satisfactory fuel samples. Kunder’s memo suggests he anticipated a narrative shift to deflect blame from the true cause—whether mechanical, human, or malicious.

The phrase “they’ll blame the weather” implies Kunder suspected a cover-up. His reference to “maintenance logs that don’t add up” aligns with the 1982 report, which documented tampered fuel lines and valves in the left engine, potentially reused in the 787. Kunder, described as “tech-savvy” by family in a Wall Street Journal report, may have reviewed the aircraft’s maintenance history and noticed discrepancies. His comment about the flight feeling “off” suggests unease, possibly related to the “Vanishing Passenger” or cockpit dynamics with Captain Sabharwal.

Theories Sparked by the Memos

The voice memos have fueled intense speculation, amplified by X posts and media coverage. Key theories include:

Kunder’s Foreknowledge of Sabotage: The memos suggest Kunder suspected foul play, possibly linked to the “Rahul Desai” passenger or the 1982 tampering. His “weather” comment could reflect skepticism about Air India’s transparency, given the airline’s history of suppressing the 1982 report. The CVR’s “This wasn’t a failure, it was a command” supports the idea that Kunder believed an external or deliberate act caused the cutoff.

Cockpit Tension: The memos’ timing, hours before takeoff, and Kunder’s “something feels off” remark hint at unease with Sabharwal or the aircraft. The CVR’s confrontation—Kunder asking, “What the hell are you doing?” after the fuel cutoff—suggests he was unaware of Sabharwal’s actions, contradicting reports that he “panicked.” Kunder’s foresight may indicate he sensed a risk, perhaps from Sabharwal or an external influence.

Cover-Up Conspiracy: Kunder’s weather prediction aligns with historical cases where airlines or governments deflected blame. The “Vanishing Passenger,” linked to a cybercrime network, raises questions about whether Kunder stumbled upon a larger plot. X posts speculate about intelligence agency involvement, though no evidence supports this.

Maintenance Oversight: Kunder’s mention of “maintenance logs” ties directly to the 1982 report. He may have uncovered records of the tampered fuel system, which could have been exploited to trigger the cutoff. The 2018 FAA advisory on Boeing fuel switches, ignored by Air India, further suggests systemic negligence.

Investigative and Industry Implications

The AAIB, supported by the NTSB and UK investigators, is now analyzing the voice memos alongside the CVR and flight data recorder (FDR). The memos’ reference to maintenance logs has prompted a deeper review of the 787’s service history, particularly the left engine’s components. Metallurgical tests on the wreckage, ongoing since the 1982 report surfaced, aim to confirm tampering. The DGCA has extended Air India’s 787 fleet grounding, and Boeing faces pressure to audit its supply chain for legacy parts.

The memos have also reignited debate over cockpit video recorders, as advocated by aviation expert John Nance. Video footage could clarify who moved the switches, resolving the CVR’s ambiguity. The ICPA, while critical of the leak, has called for a transparent probe into maintenance records, echoing Kunder’s concerns. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated on July 20, 2025, that no mechanical faults were found, but the memos challenge this narrative.

Public reaction on X is fervent, with hashtags like #AI171Truth and #KunderKnew trending. Families of victims, including those of Javed Ali Syed and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, demand the full CVR transcript. Air India’s ₹10 million ex-gratia payments and Tata Group’s rebuilding fund for B.J. Medical College have not eased public distrust.

The Dark Reason for Virality

Kunder’s voice memos have gone viral for one dark reason: they suggest the crash was no accident but part of a concealed truth. His prediction that “they’ll blame the weather” resonates with a public wary of institutional cover-ups, especially after the 1982 report’s suppression. The memos humanize Kunder, a 32-year-old pilot with 3,400 hours, whose childhood dream of flying ended in tragedy. His words, recorded in private, feel like a posthumous warning, amplifying calls for accountability.

Conclusion

Clive Kunder’s voice memos, with their eerie prediction of a weather-related cover-up, have transformed the Air India Flight 171 investigation into a saga of suspicion and betrayal. Whether Kunder foresaw sabotage, sensed cockpit tension, or uncovered maintenance flaws, his words suggest he knew the truth would be obscured. As the AAIB probes the memos, the 1982 tampering, and the “Vanishing Passenger,” the aviation world grapples with a chilling reality: the crash may have been orchestrated, and Kunder’s voice may be the key to unraveling it. The 260 lives lost, and the survivor’s narrow escape, demand that his warning not be ignored.