Preliminary Report Reveals Details of Air India Flight 171 Crash
The AAIB has released a preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash, detailing critical cockpit recordings and the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. The report highlights the abrupt transition of fuel switches from 'run' to 'cutoff' just seconds after takeoff, resulting in the simultaneous shutdown of both engines. Investigators are examining potential technical failures and miscommunication among the cockpit crew. This incident, which occurred in Ahmedabad, has raised significant concerns regarding aviation safety protocols. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the findings and implications for future air travel safety.
Jul 12, 2025, 10:40 IST
Initial Findings from the Air India Flight 171 Incident
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash shortly after midnight on Saturday. The report includes dramatic cockpit voice recordings revealing that one pilot realized both engines had lost fuel during takeoff, while the co-pilot denied having made any such action.
Following the tragic accident in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of at least 270 individuals, the report sheds light on one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in decades. It indicates that just seconds after takeoff, the fuel switches for both engines transitioned from 'run' to 'cutoff'. This 15-page report was published early Saturday by the AAIB, which is conducting the investigation into the incident.
In the cockpit recordings, one pilot is heard asking the other, "Why did you switch to 'cutoff'?" The other pilot responded that he did not do it.
The cutoff transition, which halted the fuel supply to the aircraft, may be a crucial element in understanding the complex circumstances surrounding the incident involving the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 on June 12.
Shortly thereafter, the switches for both engines on the London-bound flight reverted from cutoff to run, indicating that the pilots attempted to regain control, as evidenced by data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR). The 787 Dreamliner and other commercial aircraft are designed to fly with sufficient power from a single engine, and pilots are trained for such scenarios.
The report states, "When the fuel control switches are changed from cutoff to run during flight, the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) automatically manages the ignition and fuel reintroduction sequence for thrust recovery for each engine."
The AAIB noted that activities at the crash site, including drone photography and videography, have been completed, and the wreckage has been moved to a secure area near the airport.
Key Points from the Report
Within seconds of takeoff, both fuel cutoff switches transitioned from run to cutoff, leading to the simultaneous shutdown of both engines in mid-air. This abrupt shutdown disrupted fuel supply and eliminated thrust from both engines.
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking, "Why did you switch to cutoff?" to which the other replied, "I didn't do it." This brief exchange raises questions about potential technical failures or miscommunication in the cockpit.
The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff into a hostel at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of all 260 individuals on board and on the ground. Among the deceased were 241 passengers and crew members, while 19 fatalities occurred on the ground.
The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 180 knots before both engines lost thrust simultaneously. Shortly after the fuel switches were activated, there was a rapid decrease in speed and altitude.
CCTV footage showed that the ram air turbine was deployed immediately after takeoff, an emergency system that activates during power loss. The RAT typically engages during power failures, confirming that the engines had indeed shut down in mid-air.
After the initial cutoff, both fuel switches were turned back on; one engine briefly showed signs of recovery, but the other did not. Engine 2 displayed some recovery signs for a while, but Engine 1 failed to stabilize and could not regain thrust.
Investigators found no evidence of bird activity near the flight path, ruling it out as a potential cause. This eliminates bird strikes as a reason for the simultaneous engine failure after takeoff.
While the throttles remained stable until reaching takeoff settings, both engines were found inoperative due to thermal damage post-accident. The AAIB noted that this was likely due to severe thermal damage sustained after the crash.
The forward Extended Airframe Flight Recorder (EAFR) was recovered and successfully downloaded. However, the rear EAFR was too damaged for data retrieval through conventional methods.
Critical components have been separated; at this stage, no advisories have been issued to Boeing or GE engine operators. The AAIB has not yet provided any recommendations to Boeing or GE, as the root cause remains under investigation.