Air India Flight AI171 Crash – Preliminary Report Reveals Engine Shutdown Triggered Disaster

Overview of the Tragic Crash

On 14 June 2025, Air India’s Flight AI171, operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, en route to London. The crash claimed the lives of 259 people, including 19 casualties on the ground. Miraculously, one passenger survived, making this the first-ever fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally.

📅 Date of Incident: June 14, 2025

✈ Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

📍 Route: Ahmedabad to London

👥 Onboard: 260 people (259 fatalities, 1 survivor)

🧐 Key Incident Details

• Flight Number: AI171
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Departure Airport: Ahmedabad International Airport
• Destination: London Heathrow
• Fatalities: 241 passengers + 19 on ground
• Survivors: 1
• Crash Timing: Immediately after takeoff

🕵️‍♂️ What the Preliminary Investigation Reveals

❗ Manual Engine Shutdown?

According to the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the engines’ fuel control switches were manually turned from RUN to CUTOFF within seconds of takeoff. These switches are designed not to be triggered accidentally due to their high resistance.

🎙️ Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Insights

The CVR captured a tense conversation:

• One pilot asked: “Why did you shut off the fuel?”
• The other pilot replied: “I didn’t.”

This suggests intentional interference or unknown malfunction—though no definitive conclusion has been drawn yet.

⚙️ No Technical or Engine Failure Found

• No faults were found in the GE GEnx-1B engines
• No system failure was recorded in avionics, hydraulics, or flight controls
• The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed automatically, indicating engine shutdown was detected and backup power activated properly

🧪 DGCA & Air India’s Response

🛠️ Immediate Safety Inspections

• DGCA (India’s aviation regulator) ordered a comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners in Air India’s fleet
• Over 30 aircraft were checked by 15 June 2025
• No critical faults were discovered

🧾 Aircraft Maintenance Record

• The crashed Dreamliner underwent scheduled maintenance in March–April 2025
• Its next inspection was due in December 2025
• Air India stated that the aircraft was fully airworthy and compliant with all safety norms

📉 Impact on Boeing’s Safety Record

• This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner worldwide
• Until now, the Dreamliner had a stellar safety reputation
• Boeing and GE have confirmed there was no mechanical failure or design flaw
• However, possible software malfunction is still under investigation by authorities

🔍 Ongoing Global Investigation

The incident is being jointly investigated by:

• AAIB (UK)
• DGCA (India)
• FAA (USA)
• Boeing and GE

The final report is expected in the coming weeks, but for now, the crash is believed to be either a case of manual interference or software anomaly—not mechanical failure.

✈️ Is the Boeing 787 Still Safe to Fly?

Despite this tragedy, the Boeing 787 remains operational worldwide, including in India. DGCA’s full-fleet inspection of Air India’s Dreamliners found no signs of systemic failure, but airlines have been advised to increase monitoring of fuel control systems and cockpit protocols.

📌 Key Questions Answered (FAQs)

Q1: Was this the first Dreamliner crash?

Yes. This was the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its launch.

Q2: What caused the crash?

Both engines were shut down seconds after takeoff, likely due to the fuel switches being moved to the “CUTOFF” position manually.

Q3: Is it still safe to fly on Dreamliners?

Yes. All Dreamliners have undergone additional safety checks, and no fleet-wide grounding has been ordered.

Q4: Could this be a pilot error?

Possibly. The CVR revealed that one pilot denied shutting down the fuel, raising questions of human error or unauthorized interference. Final conclusions are pending.

📉 Lessons from Flight AI171: What This Means for Aviation Safety

The crash of Flight AI171 is not just an isolated disaster—it is a wake-up call for the aviation industry. It highlights the importance of manual override protections, pilot training, and real-time aircraft monitoring systems. Regulators around the world are expected to release stricter automation and safety audit guidelines for modern aircraft following this incident.

The industry awaits the final AAIB report, which could reshape policies on cockpit protocols, engine control systems, and Dreamliner operations worldwide

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