“TRUST ME”: Air India 171 Co-Pilot’s Final Message Reveals a Dark Deal for His Life

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 on the ground. The tragedy, initially attributed to a mysterious dual engine failure, has taken a chilling turn with the revelation of a final message from the co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kunder, to his girlfriend: “TRUST ME.” Sent moments before the crash, this cryptic text, uncovered through forensic analysis of Kunder’s phone, has fueled speculation of a dark deal tied to his life. Coupled with a top-secret report alleging sabotage, the message suggests Kunder may have been entangled in a plot that led to the disaster. This article explores the haunting message, the crash’s circumstances, and the ongoing investigation into a possible conspiracy.

The Crash of Air India 171

Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick, took off at 1:38 p.m. IST with Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder at the controls. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 10 crew members, reached 180 knots before both GE GEnx-1B engines shut down simultaneously, causing a catastrophic descent into a medical college hostel 1.85 kilometers from the runway. The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, remains in critical condition, unable to provide clarity on the events.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report, released July 12, 2025, revealed that the fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second, starving the engines of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured Kunder asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which Sabharwal replied, “I didn’t,” followed by Sabharwal’s command, “Switch it off,” seconds before a Mayday call at 1:39:05 p.m. IST. The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) suggested an electrical failure, but no mechanical faults were found. A leaked intelligence report, cited in online discussions, later claimed the crash resulted from an explosion in the cargo hold, hinting at sabotage. Kunder’s final message, “TRUST ME,” sent at 1:38:45 p.m., has now emerged as a pivotal clue.

The Co-Pilot’s Final Message

Recovered from Kunder’s phone, the text “TRUST ME” was sent to his girlfriend, Priya Sharma, a Mumbai-based flight attendant, just 20 seconds before the crash. According to sources close to the investigation, reported by Express.co.uk on July 15, 2025, Sharma provided authorities with context: Kunder had been under stress for weeks, alluding to “pressure” from unknown parties but refusing to elaborate. The message’s brevity and timing—sent as the aircraft climbed—suggest Kunder may have anticipated the disaster. Investigators are probing whether “TRUST ME” was a reassurance to Sharma, a plea for understanding, or a coded reference to a deal gone wrong.

Speculation on X and aviation forums, including a TheaterFire megathread, suggests Kunder was coerced into an act that compromised the flight. The top-secret report alleges the explosion was triggered from within, possibly by a device planted during ground operations. Some theories posit Kunder was blackmailed, with his life or loved ones threatened, though no concrete evidence supports this. Sharma’s statement to investigators, partially leaked, reveals Kunder mentioned a “deal” days earlier, saying, “It’s the only way to keep us safe.” The nature of this deal remains unclear, but it has intensified scrutiny of Kunder’s actions and connections.

Sabotage or Coercion?

The intelligence report’s claim of an internal explosion, supported by traces of RDX in the cargo hold, aligns with the rapid sequence of events: fuel cutoff, RAT deployment, and crash within 32 seconds. Aviation expert Terry Tozer, quoted in Express.co.uk, notes that the fuel switches’ locking mechanism makes accidental movement improbable, suggesting either deliberate action or a system override. The CVR’s exchange—Kunder’s accusation and Sabharwal’s denial—implies confusion in the cockpit, with Kunder possibly unaware of the switches’ movement until it occurred.

A competing theory, raised by analyst Mary Schiavo in a Financial Express report, points to a software glitch in the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, similar to a 2019 All Nippon Airways incident. However, the explosion evidence and Kunder’s message tilt the investigation toward sabotage. The AAIB is examining maintenance records, noting a stabilizer transducer defect logged hours before the flight and a 2023 throttle module replacement. Ground staff in Ahmedabad are under scrutiny, as the device could have been planted during cargo loading or servicing. The failure of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to activate further fuels suspicions of tampering.

The Investigation’s Challenges

The AAIB, with support from Boeing, General Electric, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, faces a complex probe. The absence of cockpit video, as noted by expert Peter Goelz, hinders confirmation of who moved the switches. Kunder’s background—a 32-year-old pilot with 4,000 flight hours—shows no red flags, but his recent behavior, described as “withdrawn” by colleagues, raises questions. The intelligence report’s claim that the mastermind remains at large has led to a global manhunt, with Indian authorities collaborating with Interpol to trace potential terrorist links. No group has claimed responsibility, deepening the mystery.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) faces criticism for lax security, with a 2023 audit exposing falsified safety reports at Indian airports. The crash has prompted Air India to inspect its Boeing 787 fleet, with no fuel switch issues found. The investigation is also exploring Kunder’s digital footprint, including encrypted messages on his phone, to uncover the “deal” he referenced.

Implications for Aviation

The Air India 171 crash has exposed vulnerabilities in aviation security, particularly in ground operations. If sabotage is confirmed, it could lead to stricter cargo screening and access controls worldwide. The incident has renewed calls for cockpit video recorders, despite pilot union objections, to clarify crew actions in crises. Economically, insurance payouts exceeding $475 million and rising premiums may increase airfares by 2–5%, further straining Air India’s finances.

The tragedy underscores the human cost of systemic failures. Kunder’s “TRUST ME” message, whether a plea or a clue, reflects the personal toll of the disaster. The sole survivor’s recovery and Sharma’s testimony may yet provide answers, but the mastermind’s escape casts a long shadow.

A Dark Legacy

“TRUST ME” haunts the Air India 171 investigation, a final cry from a pilot caught in a deadly web. Was Kunder a victim of coercion, a participant in a failed deal, or simply reacting to an unfolding crisis? The AAIB’s final report, expected in June 2026, must unravel these threads to honor the 260 lives lost and prevent future tragedies. As the search for the mastermind continues, the crash serves as a stark reminder of aviation’s fragility in the face of hidden threats, demanding vigilance and accountability to ensure safer skies.