The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a preliminary report on Air India Flight AI‑171, which crashed just 34 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people. The findings shine a spotlight on cockpit dynamics, system safeguards, and potential human error. Here are ten critical facts confirmed so far:
- Fuel Switched Off Seconds After Lift‑Off
Within three seconds of takeoff, both engine fuel-control switches were flipped from RUN to CUTOFF, instantly starving the engines of fuel. - Switches Moved One-Second Apart in Flight
The switches were moved in quick succession—just one second apart—indicating deliberate action. - Cockpit Voice Recorder Captures Shock
One pilot is heard asking “Why did you cut off?” followed by “I didn’t do it,” showing immediate confusion in the cockpit. - Automatic Restart Only Partially Successful
Data shows engine 1 relit successfully after the switch was returned to RUN, but engine 2 failed to recover. - Ram Air Turbine Deployed
The RAT was activated immediately after loss of engine power, confirming a total dual-engine failure. - Mayday Call Made Seconds Before Crash
Flight crew transmitted a distress call around 23–30 seconds after takeoff, just prior to impact. - No Mechanical or Software Faults Detected Yet
So far, inspection of the Boeing 787 systems and GE engines shows no sign of failure. - FAA Advisory on Switch Locks Ignored
A 2018 FAA bulletin warned about switch lock disengagement, but Air India did not undertake inspections, viewing it as advisory. - Pilot Fatigue and Training Ruled Out
Both captains were rested, qualified, and had extensive flight hours—over 15,000 and 3,400 respectively—eliminating fatigue or inexperience. - Switch Design Lacks Dual‑Action Safeguards
The CUTOFF switches have mechanical guards, but no dual-authorisation or biometric safeguards. They can be moved manually, presenting a cockpit vulnerability.
Conclusion
These verified findings focus attention on why the fuel switches were moved and how cockpit systems allowed it. With no mechanical fault found and both pilots denying the switch action, investigators must determine whether this was intentional, accidental, or a design vulnerability. The final AAIB report—expected in the coming months—will be pivotal in determining both cause and accountability.
