Air India Flight 171 Crash: Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Tragic Incident in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, India – July 14, 2025: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India released its preliminary report last week on the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171, which occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 others on the ground. The report provides the first official insights into one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades, raising critical questions about the cause of the tragedy.

According to the AAIB’s 15-page report, the crash was triggered when the fuel control switches for both engines moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position just three seconds after the aircraft lifted off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This sudden action cut off the fuel supply to the engines, causing both to lose power mid-air. The plane, unable to maintain altitude, crashed into a hostel complex at B.J. Medical College, resulting in multiple explosions and widespread devastation.

Cockpit voice recordings captured a moment of confusion between the two pilots. One pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other replied, “I did not do so.” The report does not clarify which pilot made which statement or whether the switches were moved deliberately, accidentally, or due to a technical fault. The aircraft’s flight data recorder showed that the switches briefly returned to the “RUN” position 10 to 12 seconds later, and an attempt to restart one engine was partially successful but failed to restore enough power to prevent the crash.

The report rules out several potential causes. Clear weather, proper aircraft configuration, and satisfactory fuel quality were confirmed, dismissing theories of weather-related issues or fuel contamination. No evidence of bird strikes or pre-existing engine problems was found. The investigation also noted that the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, deployed immediately after the power loss, indicating a major system failure.

The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced pilot with 15,600 flight hours, including 8,600 on the Boeing 787. The first officer, Clive Kunder, had 3,400 flight hours, with 1,100 on the same aircraft type. Both pilots had passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests and were deemed fit to fly.

A key point of interest is a 2018 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about potential issues with the fuel control switch locking mechanism on some Boeing aircraft, including the 787-8. Air India did not conduct the recommended inspections, as the advisory was not mandatory. The AAIB is now investigating whether this could have contributed to the switches moving unexpectedly.

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen seated near an emergency exit, escaped with minor injuries after the section of the aircraft he was in detached during the crash. The tragedy claimed the lives of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

The investigation, supported by experts from Boeing, General Electric, and aviation authorities from the U.S. and U.K., continues to explore whether the fuel cutoff was due to human error, mechanical failure, or an electronic glitch. A final report is expected by June 2026.

Air India issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and pledging full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The crash has prompted the airline to reduce international operations with its wide-body fleet as it grapples with the aftermath.

As families mourn the loss of loved ones, the preliminary findings have left many questions unanswered. The global aviation community awaits further details to understand how such a critical failure occurred and to prevent future tragedies.