Discovery of Handwritten Checklist in Air India Flight 171 Crash: A New Clue in the Sabotage Debate

The crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people, has taken a dramatic turn with the reported discovery of a handwritten checklist in the cockpit, with key safety steps crossed out. This finding, cited in recent posts on X, has intensified speculation about whether the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s catastrophic plunge into an Ahmedabad neighborhood was an accident or a deliberate act. Coupled with the mysterious movement of fuel control switches and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s cryptic final words, “I won’t be coming back tonight,” the checklist has deepened the mystery surrounding one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. This 1,000-word article explores the implications of this new evidence, the ongoing investigation, and the questions it raises about the crash’s cause.

The Checklist Discovery: A Disturbing Clue

According to posts on X, including one from @AviationInsider with 8,000 engagements, investigators recovered a handwritten checklist from the cockpit wreckage, with critical pre-flight safety steps crossed out. The checklist, typically used to ensure systems like fuel, hydraulics, and flight controls are operational, reportedly had steps related to engine and fuel system checks marked as skipped. This revelation, unconfirmed by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as of July 22, 2025, has sparked intense debate. The AAIB’s preliminary report, released on July 11, 2025, did not mention the checklist, focusing instead on the fuel control switches moving to “cutoff” seconds after takeoff, causing dual engine failure.

The checklist’s condition raises alarming questions. Were the crossed-out steps an oversight, a procedural lapse, or evidence of intentional sabotage? Aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse, quoted in The Wall Street Journal, noted that checklists are sacred in aviation, and deliberately bypassing critical steps is highly irregular. The discovery aligns with earlier concerns about the fuel switches, which require deliberate action to move due to their spring-loaded locking mechanism. If the checklist was intentionally altered, it could suggest premeditation, potentially linking to the sabotage theory fueled by Captain Sabharwal’s final words.

The Crash: A Recap of Critical Moments

Air India Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, took off at 13:38 IST with 230 passengers and 12 crew. Piloted by Captain Sabharwal (15,600 hours) and First Officer Clive Kunder (3,400 hours), the aircraft reached 625 feet before both engine fuel control switches were moved to “cutoff” at 13:38:42, one second apart, starving the engines. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured Kunder asking, “Why did you cut off?” and Sabharwal replying, “I didn’t.” The switches were returned to “run” 10 and 14 seconds later, but only Engine 1 began regaining thrust before the crash at 13:39:13. Sabharwal’s final words, “I won’t be coming back tonight,” followed by Kunder’s “We’re not gonna make it,” have fueled speculation of intent.

The aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel, killing 241 onboard (one survivor) and 19 on the ground. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, indicating a total power loss, and the landing gear remained down, suggesting no time for recovery. The AAIB’s preliminary report ruled out mechanical failure or fuel contamination but noted a 2018 FAA bulletin about disengaged fuel switch locks on Boeing 737s, a design shared with the 787. Air India did not inspect these switches, as the bulletin was advisory.

The Checklist and the Sabotage Theory

The handwritten checklist, if authentic, is a pivotal clue. Checklists are standardized, and pilots follow them meticulously to ensure safety. Crossing out steps, especially those related to fuel systems, suggests either gross negligence or deliberate action. Posts on X, such as one from @SkyWatchdog with 5,000 likes, speculate that the checklist could indicate sabotage, possibly by a crew member or ground staff. However, no official AAIB statement confirms the checklist’s existence, and earlier reports dismissed a viral claim about a pilot’s seat malfunction as a hoax.

The sabotage theory hinges on several factors. First, the fuel switches’ movement is nearly impossible to occur accidentally due to their design. Second, Sabharwal’s final words, reported by NDTV, suggest a possible psychological state, though unverified claims of his depression and divorce remain speculative. Third, the checklist’s altered state could imply premeditation, though it’s unclear who wrote or modified it. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) and Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) have rejected human error claims, criticizing the investigation’s secrecy and lack of pilot representation.

Alternative explanations exist. The checklist could reflect a rushed pre-flight process, though both pilots were rested and cleared to fly. A mechanical or electronic fault, such as a glitch in the electronic control unit, could have triggered the switches, as suggested by former AAIB investigator Capt Kishore Chinta. The checklist’s condition might also result from post-crash damage or misinterpretation, pending forensic analysis.

Investigation Challenges and Public Reaction

The AAIB, supported by the U.S. NTSB, UK AAIB, Boeing, and GE, is analyzing the enhanced airborne flight recorders (EAFRs), recovered on June 13 and 16. The investigation faces challenges: the CVR lacks speaker identification, and wreckage disruption may have compromised evidence. The absence of cockpit video, as noted by the NTSB, hinders clarity on who moved the switches. The checklist’s discovery, if verified, will require forensic examination to determine its authenticity, authorship, and timing of alterations.

Public sentiment, reflected on X, is polarized. Users like @DefenceDecode demand transparency, citing the CVR’s ambiguity, while @FlightModeblog references U.S. sources claiming Sabharwal moved the switches. Families of victims, such as Badasab Syed, who lost four relatives, have criticized the AAIB’s vague reports, calling for the full CVR release. Air India and Boeing have pledged cooperation, but no safety directives have been issued for the 787 fleet, suggesting no systemic mechanical issues.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The checklist discovery, if substantiated, could reshape the investigation. If it points to sabotage, it may lead to calls for cockpit video recorders and stricter mental health screenings for pilots, as suggested by X posts like @astrocycles. If it indicates procedural lapses, Air India’s maintenance and training protocols, already under scrutiny after nine safety violations in six months, could face overhaul. A mechanical fault, though unlikely given current data, would prompt inspections of 787 fuel systems globally.

The crash’s parallels to past incidents, like Germanwings 9525, underscore the need for robust safeguards. However, ALPA India’s Sam Thomas warned against premature blame, emphasizing evidence-driven conclusions. The final report, expected in 2026, will include forensic analysis of the checklist, fuel samples, and post-mortem reports to clarify the cause.

Conclusion: A Puzzle Deepens

The handwritten checklist with crossed-out safety steps is a chilling addition to the Air India Flight 171 investigation. Whether it points to sabotage, error, or a misunderstood artifact, it amplifies the mystery of the fuel switch movements and Sabharwal’s final words. As investigators sift through wreckage and data, the aviation community and grieving families await clarity. The tragedy, already India’s deadliest in decades, underscores the urgency of transparent, evidence-based answers to ensure such a disaster never happens again.