Air India Crash: Plane Faced Technical Snag Day Before Tragedy
Rescue operation at Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad (Image credit Parthesh Patel)
Sudden Engine Shutdowns Under Probe; Technical snag addressed by Air India maintenance team day before crash
By KUMAR VIKRAM
NEW DELHI, July 12, 2025 — A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 revealed that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft shut down seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, leading to a catastrophic failure that caused the plane to crash just beyond the airport perimeter. The flight was bound for London Gatwick and carried 230 passengers and crew.
According to the report released by investigators, the aircraft — registered VT-ANB — had earlier operated a domestic flight (AI423) from Delhi and was cleared for its next leg after routine maintenance was performed to address a technical message flagged by the previous crew. The issue, related to a stabilizer position transducer (STAB POS XDCR), was reportedly resolved by an Air India maintenance engineer, and the plane was released for its scheduled departure at 13:10 IST.
Engines Cut Off Seconds After Liftoff
Flight AI171, piloted by a senior ATPL-holder captain and a Mumbai-based co-pilot, commenced its take-off roll from Runway 23 at 13:37 IST. Data recovered from the aircraft’s systems confirmed that take-off speeds were achieved normally — with V1 (decision speed) at 153 knots, Vr (rotation speed) at 155 knots, and liftoff recorded at 13:38 IST.
However, just three seconds after becoming airborne, the aircraft reached a speed of 180 knots, when both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches were recorded transitioning from RUN to CUTOFF — effectively shutting down both engines. The switches moved one after the other within a one-second interval.
Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other: “Why did you cut off?” — to which the other pilot replied, “I didn’t.”
Investigators believe this incident was not triggered manually by either pilot, raising serious concerns about a possible systemic failure, inadvertent activation, or a fault within the fuel control or electrical systems.
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RAT Deployment, Desperate Recovery Attempts
The sudden loss of engine power led to the automatic deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a last-resort emergency hydraulic and electrical power source, within seconds of take-off. CCTV footage corroborated the RAT’s deployment. At this point, the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and failed to clear the airport perimeter.
Attempts were made to restart the engines midair. At 13:38:52, Engine 1’s fuel switch was moved back to RUN, followed by Engine 2’s four seconds later. Indicators suggest both engines attempted relight sequences. Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, but Engine 2 continued to struggle.
The aircraft’s last recorded data came at 13:39:11 IST. A “MAYDAY” distress call was transmitted seconds earlier by one of the pilots at 13:39:05, but air traffic controllers received no further communication before the aircraft crashed just outside the airport boundary.
The 230 people on board included 215 economy-class passengers, 15 business-class passengers, and two infants. The aircraft was carrying 54,200 kg of fuel, and its take-off weight was within the permissible limit of 218,183 kg.
Emergency response was activated immediately. At 13:44 IST, airport fire and rescue units, followed by local administration teams, rushed to the crash site. There are currently no confirmed survivors, and a full casualty report is awaited.
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of the simultaneous engine shutdowns remains under active investigation. A possible anomaly in fuel cutoff command systems or electrical interface with the flight deck is among the suspected factors. No bird strikes or external damage were noted during the incident.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing, and international aviation safety agencies are expected to take part in the continuing investigation. A final report will follow after comprehensive analysis of the aircraft’s flight data, systems, and maintenance history. This marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters involving an Indian carrier in recent years.
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