Air India Crash Victims’ Families Sue Boeing, Honeywell

The families of four passengers who died in an Air India jet crash in June have filed a lawsuit in the United States against plane maker Boeing and aircraft parts maker Honeywell, accusing them of negligence.

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. (Photo: Prime Minister’s Office / Government of India) 

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday and seen by the BBC, alleges faulty fuel switches caused the crash and accuses the companies of doing “nothing” despite being aware of the risks in the aircraft’s design.

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.

Fuel switches have become a focus for investigators after a preliminary inquiry found fuel to the engines was cut off moments after the plane lifted off. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has previously said fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft are safe.