On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft lost thrust and veered off course before colliding with the hostel block of B.J. Medical College. The crash resulted in the deaths of 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew members on board and 19 individuals on the ground.
The law firm Beasley Allen represents more than 125 families affected by the tragedy. In a statement, the firm emphasized the personal impact of the disaster: "Behind every headline and technical report are real people—passengers, crew members, and families whose lives were forever changed by the crash of Air India Flight 171. These individuals were more than statistics. They were parents, children, friends, and colleagues, each with dreams, stories, and loved ones waiting for them."
Beasley Allen also highlighted the importance of accountability in aviation safety: "We must never lose sight of the human cost of aviation failures. Every safety lapse, every overlooked warning, and every design flaw has the potential to devastate lives. That’s why accountability matters—not just for justice, but for healing."
Prior to this incident, aviation regulators had identified potential safety concerns related to Boeing aircraft. In particular, issues regarding fuel cutoff switch placement and design had been raised by authorities such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA issued warnings in 2018 urging airlines to inspect locking mechanisms on Boeing planes; however, Boeing reportedly did not mandate inspections or supply replacement parts.
Additionally, internal documents from both Boeing and the FAA dating back to 2016 indicated awareness of water leaks into critical electrical systems that control vital flight operations. Such leaks could result in electrical shorts affecting components like fuel cutoff switches.
Beasley Allen commented on ongoing investigations: "While the preliminary crash report raises questions about the switches, we believe the evidence so far is inconclusive and incomplete. The possibility of an electrical short—consistent with the known history of water intrusion—must be fully investigated."
The firm called for several reforms in response to this tragedy: independent crash investigations; stricter regulations for aircraft design; legal accountability for manufacturers; and greater transparency in aviation safety protocols.
"At Beasley Allen Law Firm," their statement concluded, "we believe that corporate negligence should never be shielded by complexity or convenience. We stand with victims, families, and whistleblowers who demand answers—and we’re committed to uncovering the truth behind aviation disasters like Flight 171."