Nick Meek, the sibling of a British man who tragically lost his life in the Air India Flight 171 crash a year ago, has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation process, stating that he believes the families will not receive the complete truth. Nick’s brother, Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, aged 45, along with his husband Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, aged 39, were among the 53 British individuals on board the ill-fated flight bound for Gatwick Airport. The aircraft crashed into a hostel shortly after departing from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, 2025.
As the first anniversary of the deadly crash approaches, the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is set to publish its final report on the incident that claimed the lives of 260 people. Nick has expressed skepticism regarding the investigative process, emphasizing his concerns about the transparency of the forthcoming report.
In an interview with the Mirror, Nick voiced his apprehension that the blame for the crash might be unfairly placed on the pilots. He referenced a preliminary report from July 2025, which indicated a conversation between the co-pilot and the captain regarding the fuel controls. The initial findings suggested that both engines lost power due to the fuel-control switches being mistakenly adjusted.
Reflecting on the past year since the tragedy, Nick lamented the lack of closure and the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the crash investigation. He criticized Air India for their communication with the families, highlighting the generic responses received from the airline representatives.
Additionally, Nick shared the emotional turmoil caused by the mix-up in handling his brother’s remains and his husband’s, disrupting the families’ plans to scatter their ashes together. Despite the challenges, he fondly remembered Jamie as a loyal and adventurous person who cherished life.
As preparations are made for the burial of Jamie’s remaining ashes alongside their late father, Nick has called for more involvement from British authorities in the Indian investigation process. He emphasized the need for transparency and justice for the families affected by the tragedy.
Legal representatives, including Keith Barrett from Fieldfisher LLP, echoed the families’ demands for timely and transparent information regarding the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, the UK AAIB spokesperson emphasized their role as a conduit for information from the Indian authorities to the affected British families, respecting the ongoing investigative process.
Efforts to reach out to Air India, Tata Group, and the Indian AAIB for comments on the matter are ongoing.