(AHMEDABAD, INDIA) Families of those lost in the Air India 787 crash are pressing for answers as a new legal theory zeroes in on alleged water leaks reaching the 787 Dreamliner’s critical electronics bay. The June 12, 2025 crash of Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, leaving only one survivor. While India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its work, lawyers representing more than 70 families argue that a known technical risk tied to the Boeing 787’s water system may have triggered a cascading electrical failure moments after takeoff.
Attorney Michael Andrews of Beasley Allen, a U.S. firm representing many of the families, says preliminary narratives pointing to pilot error or sabotage are premature. He cites past Federal Aviation Administration notices about leaks from the Dreamliner’s potable water system that could intrude into the forward equipment space—the electronics bay—where flight‑critical systems, including the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), live. According to Andrews, a short or loss of power in that area could cause a sudden loss of engine response and other cockpit failures.
Relatives have seized on one detail from the lone survivor: cabin lights allegedly flickered and shifted color seconds after liftoff, followed by a steep, rapid descent. Andrews says that report fits a pattern of electrical stress and wants investigators to detail why the aircraft’s ram air turbine—an emergency power device—appears to have deployed.
“These are hallmarks of an electrical event, not a crew lapse,” Andrews has said in public comments shared by firms coordinating suits in India and abroad.
Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has focused on support and payment while deferring to the AAIB on cause. The airline has paid ₹25 lakh in interim compensation to nearly two‑thirds of families, and Tata has committed ₹1.25 crore per family in ex‑gratia funds (₹1 crore from Tata and ₹25 lakh from Air India). Tata has also created the AI‑171 Memorial and Welfare Trust with a ₹500 crore corpus to offer long‑term help, including support for first responders and repairs to damaged property around the crash site. Company teams remain stationed in Ahmedabad to assist with paperwork and counseling.
New technical theory shifts focus
The 787’s design places crucial boxes, including power control units and FADEC interfaces, in the forward electronics equipment bay beneath the flight deck. Lawyers point to prior U.S. regulatory attention on the Dreamliner’s water lines and potential leak paths as grounds to scrutinize whether water leaks could have reached the electronics bay on AI171.
They argue such leaks may cause:
- Arcing in electrical panels
- Intermittent power or sudden power loss
- Loss of clean signals needed for engine management
While no official cause has been confirmed, the theory has gained traction among families because it offers a plausible explanation for the survivor’s account of electrical oddities before impact.
Andrews has urged the AAIB to release cockpit voice and flight data recorder information to a panel of independent experts. He also questions whether broader issues in aircraft oversight—including how manufacturers work with regulators under the Organization Designation Authorization model in the United States 🇺🇸—left known risks under‑addressed.
To date, India’s AAIB has kept all major possibilities on the table, from tampering and cyber concerns to fuel and hardware. The bureau’s final report is not expected for months, and officials say they will publish conclusions once analysis of the “black boxes” and wreckage is complete.
International legal coordination and jurisdiction
Lawyers in the United States and the United Kingdom, including Beasley Allen and Keystone Law, are coordinating claims under the Montreal Convention of 1999, which holds airlines strictly liable for international passenger injury or death, subject to defenses and limits.
Key aspects of the legal framework:
- Plaintiffs may file suits in:
- The airline’s domicile
- The ticket’s final destination
- The passenger’s home country
- This allows families of foreign nationals—among them 52 British citizens—to bring cases in multiple jurisdictions.
- Plaintiffs often pursue parallel claims to preserve rights under different legal systems while settlement talks continue (analysis by VisaVerge.com).
At the same time, lawmakers in New Delhi plan hearings with aviation officials, airport operators, and carriers to probe safety gaps across fleets and routes. The AAIB’s findings—and any court‑backed discovery obtained by victims’ lawyers—could shape that agenda, especially if they center on system‑level risks in the 787 or maintenance practices across operators.
If investigators confirm that water leaks compromised the electronics bay, it would amplify calls for:
- Stronger checks on the Dreamliner’s potable water plumbing, routing, and drainage
- More rigorous inspection intervals
- Revised maintenance and crew procedures for electrical stress symptoms
Compensation and legal pathways for families
Most families are proceeding on parallel tracks: securing immediate financial support and preparing longer legal claims. Under the Montreal Convention, commonly referenced damage expectations approach ₹1.5 crore per victim, though final awards depend on proof of loss and applicable limits. Total insurance payouts across all claims could reach ₹4,000 crore.
Air India’s immediate support and logistics:
- A dedicated helpdesk and individual caregivers assigned to each affected family
- Round‑the‑clock teams to arrange documents, coordinate interim payments, and answer questions
- Continued travel assistance and memorial support throughout the first year
- The AI‑171 Memorial and Welfare Trust expected to fund long‑term assistance such as scholarships and community support
Other potential compensation sources for families:
- Travel insurance policies attached to the ticket or a tour package
- Life insurance with accidental death benefits
- Debit or credit card coverage that triggers when tickets are purchased on the card
Law firms working with families recommend:
- Collecting policy documents and bank statements showing ticket purchases
- Gathering proof of dependency for survivors
- Recording all dealings with insurers and airlines, and asking for written confirmations of promised benefits
- If applicable, considering filing in multiple venues when dual residence or citizenship exists
Legal teams have asked the AAIB to share flight data and cockpit voice recorders with independent investigators. If access is not granted, attorneys say they will petition under Indian law and proceed with suits against both Air India and Boeing in venues allowed by treaty.
Because these claims involve complex cross‑border issues, families are encouraged to work with counsel in the relevant countries so deadlines and notice rules are not missed.
For official updates on the accident probe, families and counsel can consult the AAIB’s public notices and releases. The bureau’s site posts status updates and contact details for technical queries. The AAIB’s official page is here: AAIB India.
Regulatory stakes and international oversight
Even before the AI171 tragedy, the Boeing 787 had faced scrutiny for electrical system vulnerabilities and water‑related issues. If the AAIB ultimately attributes cause to water leaks affecting the electronics bay, the findings will ripple through maintenance programs, cabin service procedures, and manufacturer bulletins worldwide.
Potential industry responses:
- Intensified inspections of water lines, fittings, and drainage near sensitive compartments
- Re‑training crews to recognize symptoms of electrical stress (e.g., cabin lighting flicker)
- Revisions to manufacturer service bulletins and airworthiness directives
India’s parliament has signaled it will look beyond the single event, raising questions about:
- How airlines report recurring faults
- Whether airport maintenance standards keep up with fast fleet growth
- How regulators track service bulletins and airworthiness directives across mixed fleets
Internationally, the case could revive debate over how the Montreal Convention balances fast access to funds for families with accountability for deeper systemic problems. Manufacturer liability, governed by different laws than airline carriage liability, often becomes entwined with treaty claims when families pursue both tracks.
Air India’s leadership says the airline will keep its focus on care and cooperation. CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed that teams remain on the ground in Ahmedabad and that the company will honor all commitments announced in June and July. The Tata Group reiterates that the ₹500 crore trust will deliver sustained help, not just one‑time payments.
Families’ demands, timelines, and practical advice
Families from India, the UK, and beyond have called for transparency and consistency. Many want cockpit voice and data recordings reviewed by independent experts not tied to any party that could face liability. Lawyers echo that demand, arguing that shared data can speed consensus on cause and prevent disputes that would otherwise drag on for years.
- If the water leak/electronics bay theory is wrong, they say the data will show it.
- If the theory is right, immediate interim safety steps could protect other crews and passengers.
The AAIB’s timeline points to a final report in late 2025 or early 2026. Until then, families face a hard wait.
Practical advice for affected families:
- Keep records organized and meet requested deadlines
- Ask for written status updates from the airline and insurers
- Ensure retainer agreements with lawyers clearly state fees, costs, and jurisdiction choices
- For cross‑border travel or paperwork issues, ask counsel to coordinate with consular staff and victim assistance groups
International attention will remain intense. With dozens of foreign nationals among the victims, parallel investigations in other countries are likely, and plaintiffs’ teams will test different legal strategies in different courts. If the AAIB identifies design or certification gaps, pressure will grow for regulators and manufacturers to act. If the final report points to maintenance lapses or operational errors, airlines will face fresh audits and training demands.
Either way, the world will look for lessons that keep another family from living this pain again.
This Article in a Nutshell
Families of victims from the June 12, 2025 Air India Flight AI171 crash are advancing a legal theory that potable water leaks reached the Boeing 787’s forward electronics bay, potentially triggering arcing, intermittent power loss, and degraded engine control. The lone survivor reported cabin lights flickering and color shifts before a rapid descent, a detail lawyers say aligns with an electrical event. Attorney Michael Andrews and other counsel seek AAIB release of cockpit voice and flight data recorder material to independent experts. Air India and the Tata Group have provided interim compensation and created a ₹500 crore trust for long‑term aid. Legal teams are coordinating claims under the Montreal Convention across multiple jurisdictions. The AAIB continues a thorough investigation, keeping various causes under consideration; a final report is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. Confirmation that water compromised the electronics bay would drive intensified inspections, maintenance changes, and potential regulatory actions worldwide.
