Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Key Findings from AAIB Preliminary Report

The report sheds light on a simultaneous shutdown of both engines and offers crucial early insights into the tragic accident that claimed numerous lives.

Background and Flight Details

Flight AI171 was scheduled to operate from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick, following its arrival from Delhi as AI423. During the turnaround, a Pilot Defect Report (PDR) noted a status message “STAB POS XDCR” in the aircraft’s technical log. Air India’s maintenance team performed troubleshooting, and the aircraft was cleared for departure at 06:40 UTC.

The flight was crewed by an ATPL-holding Captain, a CPL-holding First Officer, and 10 cabin crew members, with 230 passengers on board — including 15 in business class and two infants in economy.

According to the report, both pilots had arrived in Ahmedabad the previous day and had adequate rest. Preflight Breath Analyzer tests were conducted, and both crew members were found fit for duty. The co-pilot was Pilot Flying (PF), while the Captain was Pilot Monitoring (PM).

Critical Sequence of Events

The aircraft took off at 13:38 IST, reaching a peak airspeed of 180 knots. Within four seconds of liftoff, both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches were recorded transitioning from RUN to CUTOFF — one after the other, with only a 1-second interval.

As fuel flow was halted, both engines began to spool down. A Mayday call was issued at 13:39 IST. While Engine 1 showed signs of restarting, Engine 2 failed to regain core speed, despite multiple fuel injection attempts.

Cockpit and Ground Evidence

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data revealed a crucial exchange between the pilots:

One asked the other, “Why did you cutoff?”

The response: “I didn’t.”

The AAIB notes no evidence of bird strikes or hazardous materials on board. CCTV footage showed deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) shortly after take-off, indicating severe power loss. The aircraft began descending rapidly and crashed before crossing the airport perimeter.

The aircraft was deemed airworthy, with its Airworthiness Review Certificate valid until May 2026. Both GE GEnx-1B engines had been recently installed — in March and May 2025.

Maintenance Oversight and Safety Advisories

The AAIB highlighted a 2018 FAA advisory that warned of potential issues with the fuel control switch lock — the very mechanism implicated in this incident. However, the advisory was non-mandatory, and Air India did not act on it.

At this stage, the AAIB has not issued any operational recommendations to B787-8 operators or engine manufacturers. The wreckage and engines have been moved to a secure facility for further examination.

Air India and Boeing Respond

In a public statement, Air India acknowledged the report and expressed its condolences:

“Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to supporting the investigation. We acknowledge the preliminary report and will continue to cooperate with the AAIB and relevant authorities.”

Boeing also issued a response:

“Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board AI171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad. We are supporting the investigation and defer to the AAIB under ICAO Annex 13 protocol.”

Next Steps

The AAIB emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with further evidence, records, and stakeholder inputs being reviewed. A final report is expected in approximately 12 months.