The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its 15-page preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 that took place in Ahmedabad on June 12. The fatal accident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed just seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people — including 241 passengers, 1 crew member, and 19 individuals on the ground. Only one passenger onboard survived, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history.
What Happened During Takeoff?
According to the AAIB’s initial findings, the plane had only been airborne for about 32 seconds before crashing. Shortly after liftoff, both engines of the aircraft lost power. Flight data recovered from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) showed that the fuel control switches for both engines moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’, with just a one-second gap between the two. This led to an immediate and total loss of thrust.
Cockpit voice recordings added to the confusion. One pilot was heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the other replied, “I didn’t.” This exchange indicates that neither pilot intentionally turned off the fuel supply, raising serious concerns about possible system failure or unintentional input.
Emergency Response and Crash
As the engines shut down, the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) — a backup system that activates during power loss — was automatically deployed. The flight crew attempted to restart both engines. While Engine 1 began to recover slightly, it couldn’t provide enough thrust in time. Engine 2 failed to restart entirely.
At 08:09 UTC, the pilots sent out a final distress signal: “MAYDAY” — just seconds before the aircraft crashed into a hostel building near BJ Medical College, roughly 0.9 nautical miles from the runway.
No Issues with Fuel, Weather, or Pilots
The report clarified several key aspects:
Fuel Quality: Fuel samples from the bowsers and tanks used for refuelling were tested by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and found to be clean and uncontaminated.
Weather and Visibility: There were clear skies and no bird activity. Weather conditions were normal.
Aircraft Configuration: The flaps were set to 5 degrees for takeoff, and the landing gear was still down.
Pilot Fitness: Both pilots were well-rested, medically fit, and experienced on the Boeing 787 aircraft.
Possible Technical Fault?
Investigators discovered a discrepancy between the thrust levers and the engine behavior. Although takeoff thrust had been commanded, the thrust levers were found in the idle position after the crash, suggesting a potential malfunction or system disconnect.
The report also mentioned that an FAA advisory had earlier flagged issues related to fuel control switches in Boeing 787 aircraft. However, inspections recommended by that advisory were not carried out by Air India, which could point to a missed maintenance requirement.
Boeing and Air India Respond
After the report’s release, Boeing issued a brief statement, saying its thoughts are with the victims and that it is supporting the investigation. Boeing added it will defer to the AAIB for information, as per Annex 13 of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines.
Air India, for its part, confirmed it is cooperating fully with regulators and other stakeholders. The airline said it remains committed to supporting the probe and ensuring safety.
This report will be updated as the investigation progresses and more evidence is reviewed.
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