Air India crash victims’ families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell

The families of four victims from the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in June have initiated legal action in the United States against aerospace giants Boeing and Honeywell. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that negligence on the part of these companies led to the catastrophic incident, which claimed the lives of 260 people. The plaintiffs argue that faulty fuel switches, a critical component of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, were the primary cause of the crash. According to the lawsuit, both Boeing and Honeywell were aware of the design risks but failed to take corrective measures. The preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the fuel switch was inadvertently moved from the ‘run’ to the ‘cut-off’ position, resulting in a sudden loss of thrust. The families claim that this design flaw allowed for the accidental cutoff of fuel supply, leading to the disaster. The lawsuit also accuses the companies of not issuing adequate warnings or providing replacement parts to address the issue. Represented by the Texas-based Lanier Law Firm, the families are seeking accountability for what they describe as a preventable tragedy. A more comprehensive report on the crash is expected in 2026.