The AAIB’s preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad found that the fuel control switches for both engines moved to the “CUTOFF” position shortly after take off on June 12, 2025. The sudden loss of engine thrust caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to crash into a medical college hostel complex, killing 260 people.
Key findings from the preliminary report
- Fuel cut-off: The fuel control switches for both engines moved from the “RUN” to the “CUTOFF” position within one second of each other, just three seconds after the aircraft became airborne.
- Pilot conversation: The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off, to which the other pilot denied doing so.
- Engine response: While the pilots did attempt to reactivate the engines by moving the switches back to “RUN,” the severe deceleration of at least one engine could not be stopped.
- Timeline: The entire flight lasted only about 32 seconds from take off to crash, with a “Mayday” call made just before the recording ended.
- Fatalities: The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
- Controversy and objections: The report and the investigation were met with controversy. The airline pilots’ association raised objections, alleging the preliminary report was “hurried” and unfairly insinuated pilot error through selective disclosure of information from the CVR.
Current status
- The AAIB’s preliminary report does not provide any conclusions or assign blame for the accident. The full investigation is still ongoing.
- The AAIB is leading the investigation with assistance from international bodies, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and representatives from Boeing and General Electric.
- A formal petition has been filed in India’s Supreme Court challenging the AAIB’s preliminary report and seeking a court-monitored independent investigation.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Consider the following statements regarding aviation accident investigations in India:
I. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is the primary body responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and incidents in India
II. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for both the regulation of civil aviation and the investigation of accidents
III. The AAIB’s preliminary report on an accident typically identifies the definitive cause of the crash and provides mandatory recommendations for all operators.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: a
Explanation: Statement I is correct: The AAIB is an independent body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, specifically tasked with the technical investigation of air accidents to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. Statement II is incorrect: The DGCA is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India. While it works with the AAIB, the AAIB is the separate, primary investigation authority to ensure an unbiased probe. Statement III is incorrect: A preliminary report (usually issued within 30 days of the crash) provides factual information gathered early in the investigation but does not typically state the probable or definitive cause or make mandatory recommendations. Its purpose is to provide early findings, and any safety recommendations made are generally advisory in nature (like the FAA bulletin mentioned in the case).
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