Investigation Into Air India Flight AI-171 Crash Focuses on Possible Pilot Actions; Preliminary Findings Raise Questions Over Engine Shutdown
Investigators examining the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12—are increasingly centering their focus on the actions of the flight’s crew.
According to a recent exclusive by the Wall Street Journal, early assessments do not point to any mechanical or technical faults with the aircraft itself, manufactured by #Boeing.
The devastating incident claimed the lives of 260 people, with only one individual surviving the horrific crash. The aircraft crashed into a hostel for medical students, sparking fires and chaos in the vicinity.
The accident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the model entered service in 2011—raising significant global attention.
According to investigators familiar with the ongoing probe, preliminary data suggests that the fuel control switches—critical components responsible for regulating fuel supply to the aircraft’s two engines—were found in the “off” position.
This discovery has raised serious concerns, as these switches are typically left on throughout a flight unless a specific emergency situation requires otherwise.
These switches are used during engine start-up, shutdown, or reset procedures in certain emergencies. However, it remains unclear why they were turned off during a routine takeoff sequence.
It is also yet to be determined whether the pilots attempted to re-engage them before the aircraft plummeted to the ground.
This potential misstep may explain why the plane’s emergency power generator, known as a Ram Air Turbine (RAT), was deployed moments before impact.
The #RAT is a compact, wind-driven generator that automatically activates in situations where both engines lose power, supplying minimal but essential hydraulic and electrical energy to the aircraft’s key systems.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is spearheading the investigation, is reportedly preparing to release a preliminary report soon—possibly by Friday. When contacted by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, the bureau declined to comment.
Earlier, Indian Civil Aviation official Murlidhar Mohol described the crash as “a very rare incident,” noting that “it has never happened that both engines stop simultaneously” under normal circumstances.
#AirIndia, currently undergoing major restructuring and modernization after decades of government ownership, has emphasized the extensive experience of its flight crew.
The aircraft’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, had logged over 10,000 flying hours on wide-body jets, while co-pilot Clive Kunder had more than 3,400 hours under his belt. Families of both pilots have declined public comment as investigations continue.
The aircraft involved was delivered to Air India in January 2014 and was equipped with engines manufactured by GE Aerospace. This model is widely used on international long-haul routes due to its advanced fuel efficiency and composite structure.
#GEAerospace and Boeing, along with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are offering technical support in what has now become a multi-national investigation.
So far, no service bulletins or airworthiness directives have been issued by the FAA or manufacturers, a move that would typically be taken if any confirmed technical design flaw or systemic issue is discovered.
Industry publication The Air Current previously reported that the investigation had narrowed in on the fuel control switches, a critical detail now supported by emerging sources. However, aviation safety experts caution that preliminary findings often evolve over time as new data is recovered and analyzed.
Full accident investigations, especially those involving international coordination, can take more than a year to reach definitive conclusions.
#FlightSafety experts have voiced concerns over the pace of analysis and data-sharing, especially in relation to the aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR)—the black boxes that are vital in reconstructing the final moments before the crash.
