Air India CEO Urges Caution After Preliminary Report on AI-171 Crash Finds No Mechanical Faults

 In the wake of the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson has called for restraint and patience, urging the public and media to avoid premature conclusions based on the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

In a detailed internal communication shared with airline staff on Monday, Wilson addressed key points highlighted in the AAIB’s initial report, which was released last Friday. He emphasized that, as of now, no mechanical defects or maintenance lapses have been found in the aircraft or its engines.
#AI171Crash #AviationSafety

According to the AAIB’s early findings, all mandatory maintenance protocols were completed before the flight, and the quality of fuel used was fully compliant with industry standards.

Furthermore, the aircraft’s take-off roll showed no signs of abnormality, and the pilots had cleared their pre-flight breathalyser tests, with no issues reported in terms of their medical fitness or operational readiness.

Significantly, the AAIB report does not identify any conclusive cause of the crash at this stage, nor does it offer any recommendations. Campbell Wilson underscored this point in his message, stating:

 

“The report has identified no cause nor made any recommendations, so I urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over.”

He assured that Air India is extending full cooperation to the investigation team and will continue to do so until a comprehensive and final report is issued.
#InvestigationInProgress #Transparency

The CEO acknowledged that media speculation and sensational coverage are likely to persist in the interim but encouraged employees to remain focused, composed, and committed to their responsibilities. He reminded them of the values that have underpinned Air India’s ongoing transformation over the past three years — namely, integrity, excellence, customer focus, innovation, and teamwork.

Reaffirming Air India’s priorities in the aftermath of the tragedy, Wilson said:

“We remain steadfast in standing by the bereaved families and the injured. At the same time, we must work as a team to ensure the highest standards of safety and reliability for all our customers.”
#AirIndiaCares #CustomerFirst

What the Preliminary Report Says

The AAIB’s initial report provides a chilling sequence of technical events that led to the crash. It notes that the aircraft reached a maximum indicated airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC. Shockingly, both engines shut down seconds later, as the fuel cutoff switches were moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’, almost simultaneously, with a one-second gap between the two actions.

The cockpit voice recording adds a layer of mystery. In the final moments, one pilot is heard questioning the other about initiating the engine cutoff, to which the latter vehemently denies doing so. The report notes that following this unintended fuel cutoff, engine parameters (N1 and N2) started to decline, consistent with the loss of fuel supply.

While these details raise serious questions about possible cockpit confusion or system error, the AAIB has not yet attributed responsibility or concluded on the underlying cause of the fuel cutoff.
#CockpitInvestigation #FlightData

The Tragedy

Flight AI-171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The accident claimed the lives of 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history.
#AviationDisaster #AI171

As the country and the global aviation community await further updates, the focus remains on a thorough, data-driven investigation that will not only determine the root cause of the incident but also ensure that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.

For now, Wilson’s message is clear: “Let’s honour the victims through diligence, empathy, and unwavering commitment to safety.”
#SafetyFirst #AviationAccountability