Air India crash: Investigators probing 7 sabotage angles, including security breach and fuel tampering

Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12

Various agencies are employing a strategy of prevention through elimination to rule out every possible sabotage scenario in the Air India flight AI-171 crash, according to a report by News18.

The flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 out of 242 people onboard. The incident also marked the first fatal accident of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

Top intelligence sources told News18 that thorough investigations will only begin once the black box recordings are decoded by the appointed investigator. According to top intelligence sources, the rare occurrence of a dual engine failure in Air India Flight AI-171 triggered this investigation to eliminate any doubts.

Based on their observations and findings, various possible sabotage angles are being investigated by agencies. Here are the possible reasons.

Tampered fuel chain

Intel sources told News18 that the integrity of fuel sourcing, storage, and hydrant systems are under forensic review for any signs of chemical adulteration. Ground staff and supplier contracts at Ahmedabad airport are being meticulously scrutinised for any potential infiltration.

Maintenance issues

According to investigators, Dreamliner systems require extensive maintenance. They have also raised concerns about possible insider sabotage. The probe agencies have aroused concerns about various aspects, including overlooked faults or unauthorised component changes. Maintenance logs, tool tracking, and technician backgrounds are also being thoroughly checked.

Cyber-physical manipulation

According to top intelligence sources, there might have been cyber-physical manipulation. The Boeing 787 is vulnerable to malware or software interference. Forensic cyber audits are being conducted on engine control units, flight management systems, and ground maintenance terminals to detect any implanted code or command spoofing.

Security breach

Security agencies are also investigating any unauthorised access or compromised personnel at the airport. Access logs, biometric trails, and CCTV footage, especially from the pre-flight period, are also being checked.

Cargo-driven motive

Intelligence sources suggest that the investigation is also looking into targeted passenger or cargo-driven motives. Manifests are being cross-checked for individuals with political, intelligence, or legal sensitivities to determine if the aircraft was a targeted symbolic or strategic goal, according to the News18 report.

External hands

Agencies are probing the involvement of foreign hostile entities or non-state proxies, considering this incident as a possible demonstration or retaliation stage.

ATC interference

Agencies are also analysing the possibility of airfield and ATC interference. This includes electronic warfare tactics such as GPS spoofing, signal jamming, or compromised ATC instructions.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India’s top agency for aviation crash investigations, is leading the probe. Officials had earlier said that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—also known as black boxes—were recovered from the site and sent to Delhi for analysis.

“The AAIB has begun a full investigation into it... It is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage. The CCTV footage is being reviewed and all angles are being assessed... several agencies are working on it,” NDTV quoted Murlidhar Mohol as saying at an event in Pune.