An official report has shed light on the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, which occurred shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2023, from Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft lost momentum and descended into a densely populated area, resulting in the deaths of all but one of the 242 individuals on board and 19 others on the ground.
According to a preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the fuel supply to both engines was cut off during the critical moments of ascent. The report indicates that the flight data recorder, commonly known as the “black box,” revealed the aircraft reached an airspeed of 180 knots before the fuel switches were abruptly transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF.” This action occurred within one second, stopping the fuel flow to both engines. An audio recording from the black box captures a conversation between the pilots, with one inquiring why the switches were altered, to which the other replied he had not done so.
Although both engines managed to relight moments later, it was too late to reverse the plane’s devastating trajectory. The report clarifies the fundamental cause of the crash: the loss of power in both engines. Yet, it raises significant questions regarding how and why the fuel switches were flipped.
Investigation Challenges and Expert Insights
The AAIB report does not clarify whether the switches were manipulated deliberately, accidentally, or due to a technical malfunction. On the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, these switches are located between the two pilots’ seats, behind the throttle levers, and are designed to prevent accidental activation. Geoffrey Dell, an air safety specialist with extensive experience in aircraft accident investigations, expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of both switches being flipped unintentionally. He noted, “It’s at least a two-action process for each one. You’ve got to pull the switch out towards you and then push it down. It’s not the sort of thing you can do inadvertently.”
Dell further emphasized that it would be unusual for a pilot to intentionally cut fuel to both engines immediately after takeoff. He noted that the timing of the switch activations, occurring within such close proximity to each other, resembles actions taken at the conclusion of a flight rather than during ascent.
One potential avenue of investigation involves a 2018 bulletin from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regarding the possible failure of the fuel control switch locking feature. The AAIB noted that since this issue was not deemed unsafe, Air India had not conducted any inspections related to it. Dell stated that access to the complete flight data recorder data would be crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding the switching of the fuel controls. Yet, without a full transcript of the pilots’ dialogue, he remarked, “It’s difficult to understand what happened.”
Former pilot Ehsan Khalid echoed these sentiments, urging caution in attributing blame solely to the pilots. He remarked, “The AAIB report to me is only conclusive to say that the accident happened because both engines lost power.” He added that the pilots were aware of the power loss and had not taken any actions that would have caused it.
Next Steps in the Investigation
A comprehensive report detailing the full investigation findings is not expected for several months. India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, stated, “Let’s not jump to any conclusions at this stage.”
The Air India jet had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, destined for London Gatwick. Among the 242 passengers and crew members were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Tragically, all on board lost their lives, with the exception of one passenger. The crash also claimed the lives of 19 individuals on the ground, including those at the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel.
Air India has acknowledged receipt of the AAIB report and committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The tragedy has not only raised safety concerns but also highlighted critical questions about pilot protocol and aircraft design, with implications that may extend beyond this singular incident.
