Ahmedabad Air India Crash Families Hire US Law Firm That Took On Boeing

Top US legal team seeks accountability after deadly Ahmedabad disaster

AHMEDABAD, INDIA — Families of more than 60 victims of the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash have enlisted renowned US law firm Beasley Allen to pursue justice and accountability. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on 12 June, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 people on the ground when the aircraft struck a local medical college.

The firm previously represented victims in high-profile aviation cases, including the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash involving a Boeing 737 Max 8, which killed 157 people.

Global Expertise on the Ground
Michael Andrews, head of aviation litigation at Beasley Allen, visited Ahmedabad last month to meet with grieving families and assess the broader impact of the tragedy.

“Being on the ground here is crucial to understanding the local pressures families are facing,” Mr Andrews said. “This tragedy didn’t just affect passengers — it devastated an entire community. Deaths and injuries at the Medical College crash site underscore that aviation safety is a global concern.”

Andrews also emphasised that the firm’s current priority is to assist families in uncovering the truth behind the crash, pledging a commitment to “accountability and transparency” throughout the investigation.

Early Findings Raise Concerns
An initial report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that the aircraft’s fuel supply switches — typically secured during flight — had somehow moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ positions, effectively cutting engine power seconds after takeoff. The final investigation report is still pending.

With mounting questions over possible technical or manufacturing faults, and Boeing again under scrutiny, the involvement of a firm with deep experience in aviation litigation could be pivotal in delivering justice to the victims and their families.