AI 171 Crash: What Happened?

Takeoff and Loss of Thrust: The aircraft lifted off the runway at approximately 13:38 IST (08:08 GMT). Seconds later, the aircraft's flight data recorder showed that both engine fuel control switches moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position within a one-second gap. This caused an abrupt loss of thrust from both engines. Mayday Call and Crash: The aircraft struggled to gain altitude, reaching a maximum height of around 650 feet. One of the pilots transmitted a "MAYDAY" call, but no further communication was received. The plane rapidly lost height and crashed into a hostel building at the B. J. Medical College, about 0.9 nautical miles from the end of the runway, just 32 seconds after takeoff. Impact and Fire: The impact and subsequent fire, fueled by the aircraft's fuel load, severely damaged multiple buildings and hindered rescue efforts. The sole survivor was a British passenger seated near an emergency exit, who managed to escape from a detached section of the fuselage. Investigation and Findings Preliminary Report: India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report in July 2025. The report confirmed the dual-engine thrust loss due to the fuel switches moving to the cutoff position but did not specify the cause of the switch movement, noting that the switches are typically only used for engine shutdown on the ground or in specific in-flight emergencies. Controversy: The preliminary report has led to controversy, with some pilot associations and the public criticizing what they perceive as an insinuation of pilot error or suicide, while overlooking potential technical issues or systemic failures, such as a possible defect in the fuel switch locking mechanism (an issue that the FAA had issued an advisory bulletin about in 2018). Ongoing Status: The investigation is ongoing. Authorities, including the Supreme Court of India, have clarified that no final report has officially blamed the pilots, and all possibilities are still being examined. Air India has since retired the flight number AI 171 #AI171 #AirIndia171 #AirIndiaCrash #AhmedabadCrash #Boeing787 #AviationSafety #PlaneCrash #AviationInvestigation #AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) #solesurvivor