What We Know So Far About the Air India Flight AI171 Crash Investigation

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary report on the Air India flight AI171 crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The tragic incident resulted in numerous fatalities, with only one survivor. Investigators are examining potential causes, including dual-engine failure, and the report is expected to be made public soon. With the establishment of a new AAIB Lab in Delhi, India can now analyze black box data domestically, marking a significant advancement in aviation safety.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 8, 2025, 15:44 IST

Preliminary Findings on Air India Flight AI171 Crash

New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has presented its initial report regarding the Air India flight AI171 incident to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other pertinent bodies.

According to senior government officials, this report, which includes preliminary evaluations and findings, is anticipated to be released to the public later this week.

The Air India flight, destined for London, tragically crashed into a medical college hostel shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. The incident resulted in the loss of 241 lives aboard the aircraft and 19 individuals on the ground, with one passenger managing to survive.

On June 13, investigators retrieved a combined unit of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the crash site, with another set discovered on June 16. This aircraft model is equipped with two sets of black boxes.

An investigation team from the AAIB began its work on June 12, following an order from the Director General of the AAIB. Teams from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) also arrived to support the AAIB in accordance with ICAO protocols.

Investigators are examining the possibility of a dual-engine failure contributing to the crash.

The investigation is being spearheaded by AAIB officials, with contributions from technical experts from the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the NTSB, which represents the nation where the aircraft was designed and built.

Oversight of the probe is provided by the Director General of the AAIB, and the investigation team includes an aviation medicine expert and an Air Traffic Control officer. The NTSB team has collaborated closely with Indian authorities at the AAIB Lab, with representatives from Boeing and engine manufacturer GE also involved in the technical assessment.

In the past, black boxes from Indian aviation accidents were typically sent abroad for decoding to facilities in countries like the UK, US, France, Italy, Canada, and Russia due to India's lack of infrastructure for analyzing black box data. However, with the establishment of a fully equipped AAIB Lab in Delhi, India now possesses the capability to decode both cockpit voice and flight data recorders domestically.