‘Both engines were in good shape': Tata Sons chief Chandrasekaran says doomed AI plane had no ‘red flags'

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Calling the situation 'extremely difficult', Tata Sons and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran urged speculators to wait for the black box analysis to know the full truth read more
People near the debris of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the airport, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025. The London-bound plane was carrying 242 passengers. (Photo: PTI Photo)
Tata Sons and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran Wednesday (June 18) asserted that the ill-fated Air India flight AI171 had no prior red flags and both of the aircraft's engines were in good shape.
Calling the situation 'extremely difficult', Tata Sons and Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran urged speculators to wait for the black box analysis to know the full truth.
On June 12, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff. The flight carried 242 passengers and crew, with 241 fatalities reported onboard and additional casualties on the ground.
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'It is an extremely difficult situation where I have no words to express to console any of the families of those who died,' Chandrasekaran said, in an interview with Times Now, and extended apologies over the tragedy.
'I deeply regret that this accident happened in a Tata-run airline. And I feel very sorry. All we can do is to be with the families at this time, grieve with them and we will do everything to support them at this hour and beyond,' Chandrasekaran said in a statement.
'Wait for probe to conclude'
N Chandrasekaran was asked about the possible causes that may have led to the plane crash. Responding to the questions, he said, 'One would have to wait for the probe to conclude.'
Notably, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is now conducting the investigation into the incident. Additionally, a high-level government committee is also examining the details. According to the reports, the preliminary findings can take a month.
Pilots' credentials
The Tata Sons and Air India chairman was also asked whether the pilots flying the doomed plane were qualified enough.
'Both pilots were exceptional. Captain Sabharwal had more than 11,500 hours of flying experience, the first officer Clive (Kundar) had more than 3,400 hours of flying experience. What I hear from colleagues is that they were excellent pilots and great professionals. So, we can't jump to any conclusions. I am told by all the experts that the black box and recorders will definitely tell the story. So, we just have to wait for that.'
Addressing various theories around the crash, Tata Sons' chairman said, 'There are speculation about human error, speculation about airlines, speculation about engines, maintenance, all kinds.' He emphasised that the aircraft had no history of issues and provided engine details: the right engine was newly installed in March 2025, while the left engine had last been serviced in 2023 and was due for maintenance in December 2025.
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