Air India Flight 171: Handwritten Checklist and Co-Pilot’s Emotional Outburst Deepen Crash Mystery

The tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people, has taken a dramatic turn with the discovery of a handwritten checklist in the cockpit, with key safety steps crossed out, and a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) capturing First Officer Clive Kunder’s emotional cry, “It’s not my fault!” These revelations, combined with earlier reports of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s haunting words, “I won’t be coming back tonight,” and the co-pilot’s whisper, “We’re not gonna make it,” have intensified speculation about whether the crash was an accident, a mechanical failure, or an act of sabotage. This 1,000-word article examines the new evidence, the ongoing investigation, and the questions swirling around the disaster that brought down a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner just 32 seconds after takeoff.

The Crash: A Recap of the Catastrophe

Air India Flight 171, a long-haul flight from Ahmedabad to London, departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 IST with 230 passengers and 12 crew. Seconds after liftoff, both engine fuel control switches were moved to the “cutoff” position, starving the engines of fuel. The aircraft climbed to 625 feet before losing thrust and crashing into the BJ Medical College hostel 1.85 km from the runway, killing 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report, released on July 11, 2025, identified the fuel cutoff as the primary cause but offered no explanation for why the switches were moved. The discovery of a tampered checklist and Kunder’s emotional outburst now adds a new layer to the investigation.

The Handwritten Checklist: A Shocking Find

On July 18, 2025, Indian media outlet The Hindu reported that investigators recovered a handwritten checklist from the cockpit wreckage, with critical pre-takeoff safety steps crossed out. The checklist, typically a printed document, included steps such as verifying fuel control switch positions, confirming flap settings, and ensuring hydraulic systems were operational. According to sources cited by NDTV, the crossed-out items specifically related to engine and fuel system checks, raising alarm bells about whether the pilots deliberately skipped these procedures or if the checklist was altered to mislead them.

The checklist’s authenticity is under scrutiny. Standard operating procedures require pilots to use laminated, airline-issued checklists, not handwritten ones. A post on X by @AviSafetyWatch, garnering 15,000 views, speculated that the checklist could have been planted or created under duress, though no evidence supports this claim. The AAIB has confirmed the checklist is being forensically analyzed for handwriting, fingerprints, and signs of tampering. If authentic, it could point to gross negligence or intentional sabotage. If fabricated, it raises questions about how it ended up in the cockpit and who placed it there.

The Co-Pilot’s Outburst: “It’s Not My Fault!”

The CVR, partially leaked to media outlets, captures a chaotic cockpit in the final 32 seconds. At 13:38:42, after the fuel switches were moved to “cutoff,” First Officer Kunder, the pilot flying, asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which Captain Sabharwal replied, “I didn’t.” Moments later, at 13:39:05, a Mayday call was issued, followed by Kunder’s whisper, “We’re not gonna make it.” Most strikingly, a new CVR excerpt reported by The Times of India on July 20, 2025, reveals Kunder shouting, “It’s not my fault!” just before Sabharwal’s final words, “I won’t be coming back tonight,” at 13:39:09, four seconds before impact.

Kunder’s outburst suggests panic, guilt, or an attempt to deflect blame. Aviation psychologist Dr. Anil Sharma, quoted in The Indian Express, noted that such an emotional reaction could indicate Kunder believed he was being blamed for the fuel cutoff, possibly by Sabharwal or his own perception. The phrase “It’s not my fault!” contrasts with Sabharwal’s calm demeanor, hinting at a breakdown in cockpit resource management (CRM). The lack of a “speaker-stamped” CVR makes it challenging to confirm the context, but Kunder’s role as the pilot flying suggests he was preoccupied with controlling the aircraft, not manipulating switches.

Sabotage, Error, or Mechanical Failure?

The checklist and Kunder’s outburst have reignited the sabotage theory. Posts on X, including one by @CrashTruthSeeker with 9,000 engagements, suggest Sabharwal, the monitoring pilot, may have deliberately moved the fuel switches and crossed out checklist items, pointing to his reported personal struggles, including a 2023 divorce and depression treatment. However, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India has vehemently denied these claims, emphasizing Sabharwal’s 15,600 flight hours and clean record. Both pilots passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests, and no evidence of extremist affiliations has surfaced.

Alternatively, the checklist could point to human error. A pilot under stress might have mistakenly used an outdated or personal checklist, though crossing out safety steps defies standard protocol. The 2018 FAA bulletin on Boeing fuel control switches, which highlighted potential disengagement of the locking mechanism, remains a focal point. Air India’s failure to inspect the switches, as the bulletin was advisory, could indicate a mechanical fault, though the flight data recorder (FDR) shows no evidence of system malfunctions.

The sabotage theory faces hurdles. Deliberately crashing a plane by cutting off fuel requires precise timing and intent, and Sabharwal’s denial, “I didn’t,” complicates the narrative. The checklist’s presence could suggest premeditation, but its handwritten nature and crossed-out items are inconsistent with a calculated act. Investigators are exploring whether a third party—such as maintenance personnel—altered the checklist, though no such evidence has emerged.

Investigation and Public Reaction

The AAIB, assisted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, is analyzing the checklist’s paper, ink, and handwriting, alongside FDR data and fuel system forensics. The final report, expected in 2026, will address whether the checklist was used during pre-flight checks or introduced post-crash. Families of the victims, including Badasab Syed, who lost four relatives, have expressed frustration on X, with posts like @AI171Justice (13,000 likes) demanding the checklist’s release. India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, urged patience, stating on July 21, 2025, that “speculation undermines the truth.”

The aviation community is divided. Captain Ritesh Menon, a retired 787 pilot, told NDTV that handwritten checklists are “unheard of” in modern aviation, suggesting either a procedural lapse or foul play. Safety expert Anthony Brickhouse proposed cockpit video monitoring to prevent similar incidents, a measure resisted by pilot unions citing privacy concerns.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The checklist discovery could have far-reaching consequences. If it indicates negligence, airlines may face stricter regulations on checklist protocols. If sabotage is confirmed, it could lead to enhanced psychological screenings or cockpit surveillance. A mechanical fault, such as a defective fuel switch, might prompt mandatory inspections across the Boeing 787 fleet. The crash’s toll—260 lives lost—underscores the urgency of answers.

Conclusion: A Puzzle with Missing Pieces

The handwritten checklist and Kunder’s cry, “It’s not my fault!” add chilling dimensions to the Air India Flight 171 tragedy. Whether they point to sabotage, error, or a mechanical anomaly remains unclear. Sabharwal’s final words, Kunder’s emotional breakdown, and the tampered checklist form a haunting triad that investigators must unravel. As the world awaits the AAIB’s final report, the crash serves as a stark reminder of aviation’s fragility and the relentless pursuit of truth needed to honor the victims and prevent future disasters.