One year after Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground, bereaved families are still struggling to obtain answers about what caused the disaster. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college, and despite a preliminary report blaming the pilot, the final investigation by Indian aviation authorities is not yet complete. Families, such as those of Sahil Patel's mother, are actively seeking justice and have consulted U.S.-based law firms, with at least 120 families approaching the same firm.
Families have expressed significant frustration with Air India and the Tata Group (Air India's owner), citing vague responses, delayed medical support, and compensation offers contingent on proof of income or photos of the deceased working. Some families, like Shethwala's, have incurred substantial legal costs, with Shethwala spending nearly $15,000 contesting a deportation order, and receiving no support from Air India.
Victims' families are demanding the release of black box data and cockpit voice recorder transcripts from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), questioning why sensitive material is being withheld when parts of cockpit conversations reportedly surfaced shortly after the crash. The AAIB has stated that releasing such material is prohibited by law during an ongoing investigation, and their draft final report is expected in October. Families are also advocating for a permanent memorial at the crash site to honor the victims.
There was only one survivor among the 242 people on board. The crash also killed 169 Indian nationals and 52 Britons, and seriously injured 67 people on the ground. Families believe that the lack of transparency about what happened in the cockpit and whether the disaster was due to human error, mechanical failure, or another cause is prolonging their grief and preventing closure. Lawyers representing about 135 affected families are exploring legal options to access the data.
