Chilling Final Moments of Air India Flight 171 Crash Revealed After Investigation

NDC DESK

Ahmedabad, July 12, 2025 : A preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reveals that both engines of Air India Flight 171 lost fuel supply within seconds of takeoff, causing a catastrophic failure and crash in a residential area, killing 260 people in what has become one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters .

Sequence of Events (All Times in IST)

— 1:37:37 PM —The Boeing 787 (VTANB) departs Ahmedabad Airport.

— 1:38:39 PM —Aircraft reaches roughly 180 knots.

—1:38:PM — Fuel control switches on both engines flip from RUN to CUT OFF within a second of each other, abruptly cutting fuel supply.

—Within Seconds — Engines begin to lose thrust; the cockpit voice recorder captured a harrowing exchange: one pilot asks, “Why did you cut off?” and the other responds, “I did not “.

—1:38:47 PM — The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) activates, deploying auxiliary hydraulic power as the aircraft loses lift.

— 1:38:52–56 PM —Pilots attempt recovery by switching both engines back to RUN.One engine briefly relights, but insufficient thrust prevents recovery .

— 1:39:05 PM— A MAYDAY distress call is made; by 1:39:PM, both flight data and voice recorders stop.

— Approximately 1:39 PM —The aircraft crashes into a medical college hostel near the airport, fatally injuring 19 on the ground as well.

What We Know So Far

Item	Detail
Aircraft	Boeing787 Dreamliner, registration VTANB; 11 years old with ~700 flights in the past year
Flight Crew	First Officer Clive Kunder flew the takeoff; Captain Sumeet Sabharwal monitored. Both were well-rested and had cleared breathalyser tests pre-flight
Casualties	242 on board (230 passengers, 12 crew); 241 fatalities onboard, one British national survived; 19 on the ground killed and 67 injured
Technical Notes	Fuel cutoff switches feature safety locks to prevent accidental movement; FAA issued an advisory in 2018 regarding switch-lock disengagement, but no mandatory action followed

Investigation & Response

—The AAIB, with support from Boeing, the NTSB, and U.S. experts, is conducting an in-depth inquiry.

—No recommendations have yet been made to modify engine design or cockpit procedures.

— The DGCA has ordered fleet-wide checks of Air India’s 787 Dreamliners.

—Air India and Boeing have pledged full cooperation; Boeing has stated it’s ready to support the inquiry.

— Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu emphasised caution, stating the findings are preliminary and urging against drawing quick conclusions.

Why This Matters

—This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 since it entered service in 2011,

—The incident underscores the critical importance of cockpit hardware safeguards and human factors in aviation safety.

—Resolution of whether the switches were moved intentionally or due to malfunction is vital for future safety protocols.

In summary, Flight AI 171 tragically crashed seconds after liftoff once fuel to both engines was shut off. A frozen cockpit voice exchange points to human confusion, while the mechanical possibility of accidental switch movement due to the design of the safety latches remains under scrutiny. As investigators unravel what happened, the aviation community awaits definitive answers and likely safety enhancements prevent a repeat of this disaster.