Possible Electrical Failure at Heart of Ahmedabad Plane Crash, Say Investigators

Preliminary evidence gathered by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicates a serious fault in the aircraft’s power supply system, which may have triggered a sequence of failures shortly after takeoff.

The aircraft went down on June 12, crashing into a medical college hostel just minutes after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 260 lives, including 241 people onboard and 19 on the ground. Only one person, a passenger seated near the emergency exit, survived.

Tail Section, APU Point to Possible Fire

Among the more telling discoveries is the largely intact tail section of the aircraft, where the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is located. This unit provides critical backup electrical power, especially during engine startup or emergency scenarios.

According to officials, the APU was recovered in relatively good condition but showed signs of electrical fire damage, suggesting a serious internal issue may have originated in this section. The AAIB has transported key components to a forensic lab in New Delhi for further analysis.

A dedicated wreckage inspection center has also been set up near Ahmedabad airport, where every piece of debris is being cataloged and reviewed.

Survivor’s Testimony Echoes Technical Clues

The investigation gained a human dimension when Vishwaskumar Ramesh, the lone survivor, reported that the aircraft had experienced intermittent electrical blackouts before the crash. He described flickering lights, loss of in-flight announcements, and “a sharp drop followed by chaos.”

His observations closely align with the investigators’ working theory — that a critical electrical systems failure may have led to cascading issues, possibly including fuel supply disruption or engine restart complications.

Experts Weigh In: A Larger Systemic Breakdown?

While the electrical failure hypothesis is gaining traction, aviation safety experts caution that a single fault alone is unlikely to down a modern aircraft.

“In a commercial cockpit, there are built-in redundancies and cross-checks. One pilot cutting off fuel mistakenly would typically be corrected in seconds,” said retired aviation analyst Capt. Meena Thakur. “What we may be looking at is a larger, simultaneous systems failure that overwhelmed both crew and aircraft.”

No Final Conclusions Yet

The AAIB has emphasized that it is too early to draw firm conclusions. The agency’s technical team continues to examine flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and salvaged avionics, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks.

Officials also noted that many of the aircraft’s rear-stored items, including some maintenance equipment recently serviced in Ahmedabad, were found undamaged, ruling out the possibility of an internal explosion or cargo fire in that section.

What’s Next?

If electrical malfunction is confirmed as the core issue, it could raise serious concerns about aircraft design, power system safeguards, and maintenance protocols, particularly for older aircraft models still in service.

For now, families of the victims and the aviation community await clear answers — and hope that this investigation will lead to improved safety and accountability in the skies.

Key Details:

• Flight: Air India AI171
• Date: June 12, 2025
• Fatalities: 241 onboard, 19 on ground
• Survivor: 1
• Cause under investigation: Suspected electrical systems failure