Air India Faces UK Lawsuit Over Fatal Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Crash

The families of nine British victims of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash have filed a legal claim. The personal injury and damages lawsuit was submitted at the High Court in London. This action follows the June 12, 2025, accident. Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff. The flight was en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick Airport.

The Fatal Accident and Legal Action

The crash resulted in the death of 241 people on board, including 12 crew members. Tragically, 19 people on the ground were also killed. Only one passenger, Viswashkumar Ramesh, survived the disaster. The British families are seeking compensation for their profound losses. The claimants include relatives of a west London family of four. Other victims were returning from a religious pilgrimage or visiting family in India. Some families are also alleging serious failures in the victim repatriation process.

Air India previously announced interim compensation payments. In July 2025, the airline began releasing 25 lakh (approximately £21,500) to some families. These payments were for 147 of the deceased passengers and the 19 people killed on the ground.

Separate Lawsuit Targets Manufacturers

Air India is not the only entity facing legal action. Separately, families of four other passengers have filed a lawsuit in the United States. This suit names aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Honeywell as defendants. The US lawsuit alleges negligence and a faulty fuel cutoff switch. It claims the switch's locking mechanism could be inadvertently moved. This design flaw, they argue, led to a loss of fuel supply and engine thrust.

Investigation Findings and Industry Scrutiny

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India released a preliminary report. The report confirmed the aircraft suffered a simultaneous loss of thrust in both engines. This occurred when the fuel control switches moved from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off. The other pilot denied taking the action. This exchange highlights the confusion in the cockpit during the final moments.

• The AAIB preliminary report detailed the dual-engine thrust loss.
• The fuel control switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' within a second of each other.
• The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously cautioned about similar switch locking mechanisms in 2018.

The preliminary investigation also noted Air India's maintenance records. The airline reportedly had not conducted all suggested inspections. These inspections related to the throttle control module. The module houses the fuel switches. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash remains under official investigation. However, the legal claims point to both operational and potential design issues. The outcome of these lawsuits will be closely watched across the commercial aviation compensation claims sector. This tragic event has put a spotlight on safety protocols for the Dreamliner fleet. For more updates on this and other aviation news, visit flying.flights.

Impact on Aviation Stakeholders

This high-profile litigation impacts several key aviation stakeholders. For Air India, the lawsuit represents a significant financial and reputational challenge. The airline must defend its operational and maintenance practices. For Boeing and Honeywell, the US claim renews scrutiny on component design and safety advisories. The ongoing investigation by the AAIB and the legal proceedings will shape future maintenance and inspection requirements. Aviation regulators, like the DGCA, may mandate new safety directives. The Air India Flight 171 lawsuit underscores the critical importance of cockpit design. It also highlights the need for strict adherence to all maintenance recommendations. The aviation industry is focused on ensuring maximum safety and preventing similar tragedies.