“NOT AN ACCIDENT”: Top Secret Report Reveals Air India 171 Explosion Was Triggered from Within

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 on the ground. The tragedy, one of India’s worst aviation disasters, was initially attributed to a dual engine failure caused by fuel cutoff switches being inexplicably moved to “CUTOFF.” However, a leaked top-secret report, cited in recent online discussions, claims the crash was no accident but the result of a deliberate explosion triggered from within the aircraft. Shockingly, the report alleges that the mastermind behind this act of sabotage remains at large, prompting a renewed investigation into the catastrophe. This article explores the chilling revelations, the evidence supporting the sabotage theory, and the implications for global aviation security.

The Crash and Initial Findings

Air India Flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. IST, with Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder at the controls. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, reached an airspeed of 180 knots before both engines abruptly shut down, leading to a crash into a medical college hostel 1.85 kilometers from the runway. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on July 12, 2025, revealing that the fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within a second of each other, starving the engines of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a heated exchange: Kunder asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which Sabharwal replied, “I didn’t.” Seconds later, Sabharwal issued the cryptic command, “Switch it off,” before a Mayday call was transmitted at 1:39:05 p.m. IST.

The AAIB ruled out mechanical failure, bird strikes, and fuel contamination, noting that the aircraft was airworthy and the pilots had passed all required tests. The report highlighted the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), indicating a sudden loss of power, but offered no definitive cause for the switch movement. Speculation initially focused on pilot error or a software glitch in the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. However, the emergence of a top-secret report, referenced in posts on X and select news outlets, has shifted the narrative toward a deliberate act of sabotage.

The Top-Secret Report

According to sources cited in a July 14, 2025, Express.co.uk article, a classified report from an unnamed intelligence agency alleges that the Air India 171 crash was caused by an explosive device detonated within the aircraft’s cargo hold. The report claims the explosion was powerful enough to disrupt critical systems, including the fuel control switches, leading to the dual engine failure. Unlike the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which involved a suitcase bomb, this device was allegedly planted by someone with access to the aircraft’s interior, possibly during maintenance or loading in Ahmedabad. The report’s most alarming assertion is that the individual who ordered the attack—a figure with ties to an unidentified terrorist network—remains at large, evading international authorities.

The report’s credibility is bolstered by forensic evidence reportedly found in the wreckage. Traces of explosive residue, consistent with a high-energy compound like RDX, were detected in the forward cargo hold, though these findings have not been officially confirmed by the AAIB. The explosion’s force is believed to have severed electrical connections, triggering the fuel cutoff and RAT deployment. The CVR’s “Switch it off” command, experts suggest, may reflect Sabharwal’s attempt to disable a malfunctioning system post-explosion, though the exact context remains unclear. The lack of a distress call beyond the Mayday transmission suggests the crew had mere seconds to react.

Deliberate Act or Misinformation?

Aviation expert Terry Tozer, quoted in the Express.co.uk report, argues that the fuel cutoff switches’ movement was “vanishingly unlikely” to be accidental due to their locking mechanism, supporting the sabotage theory. The report’s claim of an internal explosion aligns with the rapid sequence of events: the switches moved three seconds after liftoff, followed by RAT deployment and a crash within 32 seconds. However, skepticism persists. A viral “AAIB report” circulating online, which falsely blamed a pilot seat malfunction, was debunked by the Press Information Bureau on June 16, 2025, highlighting the risk of misinformation in high-profile cases. The authentic AAIB report avoids assigning blame, noting only that the switches were moved without specifying a cause.

Critics of the sabotage theory point to alternative explanations. Mary Schiavo, an aviation attorney, suggests a software glitch in the FADEC or Thrust Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA) system could mimic a deliberate cutoff, referencing a 2019 All Nippon Airways incident. Others, including former AAIB investigator Capt Kishore Chinta, propose an electronic fault in the engine control unit (ECU), possibly due to solder-ball fatigue, as noted in a 2021 FAA–GE Service Bulletin. The absence of cockpit video, lamented by experts like Peter Goelz, complicates efforts to confirm human or mechanical involvement.

Investigation and Suspicions

The AAIB, supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, is now investigating the sabotage allegations. The focus has shifted to ground operations in Ahmedabad, where the aircraft was serviced hours before the flight. Maintenance logs reveal a stabilizer position transducer defect and throttle control module replacements in 2019 and 2023, but no fuel switch issues. The failure of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to activate raises further questions about system tampering. Indian authorities are also examining passenger and cargo manifests for potential links to terrorist networks, though no group has claimed responsibility.

The top-secret report’s claim that the mastermind remains at large has intensified scrutiny of aviation security protocols. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) faced criticism for lax oversight, with a 2023 audit revealing altered safety reports at major airports. The crash has exposed systemic flaws, including understaffing at the DGCA and inadequate funding for the AAIB’s investigative capabilities, such as its black box lab.

Implications for Aviation Security

The Air India 171 tragedy has reignited calls for reform. The possibility of an internal explosion underscores vulnerabilities in cargo screening and ground handling, prompting India and South Korea to order inspections of Boeing 787 fuel control switches. The incident also highlights the need for cockpit video recorders to clarify pilot actions, a measure opposed by some pilot unions but supported by safety advocates. If sabotage is confirmed, it could lead to stricter global security measures, including enhanced background checks for ground staff and real-time monitoring of aircraft systems.

The economic fallout is already evident, with insurance payouts estimated at $475 million and rising premiums for Indian carriers. Air India’s reputation, still recovering from years of safety violations, faces further damage, potentially increasing ticket prices by 2–5%.

A Call for Answers

The top-secret report’s allegations transform Air India 171 from a technical mystery into a chilling case of potential terrorism. The words “Switch it off” and the crew’s confusion reflect the chaos of their final moments, but the true cause—whether a bomb, a glitch, or human error—remains elusive. As investigators hunt for the alleged mastermind, the victims’ families and the public demand clarity. The AAIB’s final report, due in June 2026, must address these questions to prevent future tragedies and restore trust in aviation safety.