A month after Air India flight AI171 crashed moments after take off from Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary findings.
The 15-page report provides a detailed timeline of the aircraft’s final minutes, confirming that both engines shut down seconds after liftoff and that neither pilot acknowledged switching them off. But even with flight data, cockpit recordings, and engine analysis underway, investigators have yet to determine why the fuel cutoff switches for both engines moved to “CUTOFF” in-flight, one after the other, and without any known command.
The Boeing 787-8, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just outside the airport perimeter on June 12, less than a minute after departure. 241 onboard, including ten crew members, were killed, and at least 30 on ground.
Here’s what the AAIB report doesn’t answer yet:
What triggered the dual engine shutdown?
The most critical unknown is what led to both Engine 1 and Engine 2 shutting down at 08:08:42 UTC (1.38 PM IST). The pilots denied triggering the shutdown, and there is no evidence of bird strike, sabotage, or fuel contamination so far.
Also Read: Air India plane crash report out; Both engines 'cut off' mid-air '01 second apart', pilots in cockpit left confused about cause
The EAFR confirms the switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” but the report does not explain whether this was a mechanical failure, an electrical issue, or a software anomaly. Basically, the preliminary report does not reveal how the switch could have flipped to the cutoff position.
Was the stabilizer sensor issue linked to the engine cutoffs?
The aircraft had earlier arrived from Delhi as flight AI423, and the previous crew had reported a fault code related to the stabilizer position sensor (“STAB POS XDCR”).
Although Air India engineers addressed the issue and cleared the aircraft for its next flight, the investigation has not linked or ruled out any connection between this sensor fault and the subsequent failure.
Also Read: Air India plane crash- Previous crew logged defect report related to flight's stabilizer sensor, reveals probe findings
Is this possibly a case of human error, systemic failure, or broader design issue?
This is the central question investigators are still examining. The AAIB has not ruled in or ruled out the possibility of crew error, aircraft system malfunction, or design-related fault. The crew had sufficient rest, cleared preflight checks, and followed procedures. However, the investigation is still reviewing cockpit actions, system inputs, and procedural adherence in the minutes before the crash.
Furthermore, the flight data is still under analysis, and additional information from Boeing and GE is being sought.
Was the aircraft’s emergency power sequence fully functional?
The RAT deployed and the APU began to auto-start, but the full effectiveness of the aircraft’s emergency power systems, including their role in relight attempts and hydraulic recovery, has not been elaborated in the report.
The 15-page report provides a detailed timeline of the aircraft’s final minutes, confirming that both engines shut down seconds after liftoff and that neither pilot acknowledged switching them off. But even with flight data, cockpit recordings, and engine analysis underway, investigators have yet to determine why the fuel cutoff switches for both engines moved to “CUTOFF” in-flight, one after the other, and without any known command.
The Boeing 787-8, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just outside the airport perimeter on June 12, less than a minute after departure. 241 onboard, including ten crew members, were killed, and at least 30 on ground.
Here’s what the AAIB report doesn’t answer yet:
What triggered the dual engine shutdown?
The most critical unknown is what led to both Engine 1 and Engine 2 shutting down at 08:08:42 UTC (1.38 PM IST). The pilots denied triggering the shutdown, and there is no evidence of bird strike, sabotage, or fuel contamination so far.
Also Read: Air India plane crash report out; Both engines 'cut off' mid-air '01 second apart', pilots in cockpit left confused about cause
The EAFR confirms the switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” but the report does not explain whether this was a mechanical failure, an electrical issue, or a software anomaly. Basically, the preliminary report does not reveal how the switch could have flipped to the cutoff position.
Was the stabilizer sensor issue linked to the engine cutoffs?
The aircraft had earlier arrived from Delhi as flight AI423, and the previous crew had reported a fault code related to the stabilizer position sensor (“STAB POS XDCR”).
Although Air India engineers addressed the issue and cleared the aircraft for its next flight, the investigation has not linked or ruled out any connection between this sensor fault and the subsequent failure.
Also Read: Air India plane crash- Previous crew logged defect report related to flight's stabilizer sensor, reveals probe findings
Is this possibly a case of human error, systemic failure, or broader design issue?
This is the central question investigators are still examining. The AAIB has not ruled in or ruled out the possibility of crew error, aircraft system malfunction, or design-related fault. The crew had sufficient rest, cleared preflight checks, and followed procedures. However, the investigation is still reviewing cockpit actions, system inputs, and procedural adherence in the minutes before the crash.
Furthermore, the flight data is still under analysis, and additional information from Boeing and GE is being sought.
Was the aircraft’s emergency power sequence fully functional?
The RAT deployed and the APU began to auto-start, but the full effectiveness of the aircraft’s emergency power systems, including their role in relight attempts and hydraulic recovery, has not been elaborated in the report.
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