NEW DELHI- Sanjay Kumar Singh is leading the investigation into the deadly crash of Air India (AI) Flight 171 (AI 171) at Ahmedabad Airport (AMD), which claimed 274 lives.
He is also heading the inquiry into a serious mid-air engine fire involving Air India Express (IX) Flight IX1132, which was operating from Bengaluru (BLR) to Kochi (COK).
Currently serving as the Director (Investigation) at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Sanjay Singh brings over 30 years of aviation safety and investigative experience, including a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Photo: PM Narendra Modi X HandleAir India Crash Investigation
In the aftermath of the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, the AAIB appointed a high-level team of investigators. GVG Yugandhar, Director General of AAIB, designated Sanjay Kumar Singh as the Investigator in Charge, with Jasbir Singh Larhga as Chief Investigator.
Other members include Safety Investigation Officers Vipin Venu Varakoth, Veeraragavan K, and Vaishnav Vijayakumar.
Singh’s credentials reflect a deep-rooted expertise in military and civil aviation. He has conducted eight Category-I accident investigations and supervised over 100 others during his tenure at the Directorate of Aerospace Safety, Air HQ, IAF.
His previous responsibilities include commanding a repair and salvage unit and serving as the Command Maintenance Safety and Inspection Officer at IAF Zonal HQ in Bengaluru.
According to Moneycontrol, Singh’s appointment highlights the government’s trust in experienced hands to oversee high-stakes aviation safety matters.
This multidisciplinary team, including experts from the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and the US National Transportation Safety Board, leverages advanced technology at AAIB’s Delhi lab to analyze black box data.
For Flight 171, the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data showed the fuel switch issue, while Flight IX-1132’s investigation examines engine maintenance records and performance data.
Photo: By lasta29 – Air India, B787-8 Dreamliner, VT-ANR, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40687689Air India Flight 171
On June 12, 2025, Air India (AI) Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), crashed 30 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of 242 onboard and 19 on the ground.
The AAIB’s preliminary report, released on July 12, 2025, revealed that both engine fuel control switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ almost simultaneously, causing a rapid loss of thrust.
One pilot’s query, “Why did you cut off?” and the other’s response, “I did not,” captured in the cockpit voice recorder, highlights the confusion in the flight’s final moments.
Engine 1 showed signs of recovery after the switches were returned to ‘RUN,’ but Engine 2 failed to stabilize, leading to the crash.
In a separate incident on May 18, 2024, Air India Express (IX) Flight IX-1132, operating from Bengaluru (BLR) to Kochi (COK), experienced a right-hand engine fire during climb at 6,000 feet.
The pilots shut down the engine, discharged fire extinguishers, and returned to Bengaluru for an emergency landing 12 minutes after departure.
An evacuation ensued, with no injuries reported. Singh’s investigation into this serious incident focuses on the engine malfunction’s root cause to prevent future occurrences.
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Air India 787 Crash Preliminary Report: Pilot Error Suspected in Engine Shutdown
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