'Lost All Credibility': Suhel Seth Slams BBC Over 'Fake News' On Air India Crash Report

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 22:58 IST

Seth told the BBC to remember that, as a publicly funded broadcaster, it must not spread what he termed “state fake news”

Seth is the founder and managing partner of the consultancy firm Counselage India. File pic/Facebook

Businessman and commentator Suhel Seth on Saturday strongly criticised the BBC for what he called “state-funded fake news" concerning the preliminary Air India crash report.

In a video statement shared on the social media platform X, Seth, who is the founder and managing partner of the consultancy firm Counselage India, suggested that the BBC should be rechristened as the “British Bullshitting Corporation."

“It is absolutely abhorrent for the BBC, which should now rechristen itself as the British Bullshitting Corporation, to cast dispersions on Indian pilots without actually going through the report," he stated.

He accused the BBC of using “typical ploys" by Western organisations to slander overseas companies and professionals. “This is not the India of yore," he added, stressing that India “isn’t part of your goddamn colony and never will be."

Seth told the BBC to remember that, as a publicly funded broadcaster, it must not spread what he termed “state fake news".

“It is tragic that the BBC has now lost all credibility. Glastonbury was about antisemitism and today it is about anti-fairness. These rogues need to be taught a lesson," he concluded.

The BBC’s article, published after the preliminary findings were released, suggested that the pilots “cut off fuel to the engines" and noted that “no fault in plane" was found.

What The AAIB Report Reveals

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings on Saturday following the crash of Air India Flight AI171 on 12 June. According to the report, the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. Fuel supply to both engines was cut off within one second, causing the aircraft to lose altitude and crash within half a minute.

The 15-page report confirmed that the fuel control switches for both engines moved from “RUN" to “CUTOFF" almost simultaneously. This sequence was captured on the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.

One pilot is heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off the fuel?" to which the co-pilot, who was flying the plane, reportedly responded, “I didn’t."

Shortly after, a backup power source known as the ram air turbine (RAT) was deployed, indicating total engine failure.

Though the pilots managed to relight both engines, only one regained enough power. A distress call was sent out, but the aircraft crashed into a nearby college hostel just outside the airport, killing nearly everyone on board and several on the ground.

The fuel switches were found in the “RUN" position at the crash site, and there was no mechanical fault reported in the engines or the aircraft.

The AAIB did not determine why the switches were moved or who was responsible. It also made no safety recommendations for Boeing 787 operators at this stage.

The incident is being further investigated, with assistance from US and UK aviation safety bodies.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world 'Lost All Credibility': Suhel Seth Slams BBC Over 'Fake News' On Air India Crash Report