Ahmedabad, India – A preliminary investigation report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that both engines of the Air India flight AI171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025, were unintentionally shut down mid-air, just seconds after takeoff.
The incident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB, bound for London Gatwick with 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. The tragic accident claimed the lives of 241 people, including the two pilots, while one passenger and 67 others on the ground sustained serious injuries.
Sudden Engine Shutdown During Takeoff
According to the 61-page report, the aircraft reached rotation speed (Vr) and successfully lifted off the runway. However, within seconds of being airborne, both fuel control switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” causing an abrupt shutdown of both engines. Flight data showed that Engine 1 and Engine 2 lost thrust nearly simultaneously, leading to rapid altitude loss and impact with structures just 0.9 nautical miles from the runway’s end.
Shockingly, cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cutoff?”—to which the other pilot replied, “I did not do so.” This has raised serious concerns over potential technical malfunction, human error, or unintended system activation.
Crash Impact and Wreckage
The aircraft struck the BJ Medical College hostel complex, damaging multiple buildings (A–F) and triggering a massive fire. Debris was strewn over a 1,000 ft by 400 ft area. The aircraft’s vertical stabilizer, engines, and main landing gear were found embedded in various parts of the buildings. The Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) did not activate during the crash, though the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, indicating total power loss.
The cockpit and forward fuselage were found over 650 feet from the first point of impact, while key components like the flap handle, landing gear lever, and thrust levers showed evidence consistent with a normal takeoff configuration before power was lost.
Flight Recorders and Relight Attempt
The forward Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) was recovered in good condition, while the aft recorder was badly damaged. Downloaded data revealed that after the shutdown, both engines briefly attempted automatic relight sequences as fuel control switches were moved back to “RUN.” While Engine 1 showed signs of partial recovery, Engine 2 failed to stabilize.
Aircraft Condition and Maintenance
The Dreamliner was manufactured in 2013 and had undergone routine maintenance with its engines installed just weeks before the crash. Although a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) had been issued in 2018 by the FAA concerning the fuel control switch design on similar aircraft, it was considered non-mandatory, and no known defects were recorded on this aircraft since 2023.
Investigation Status and International Involvement
The AAIB is working with representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, GE Aviation, and authorities from the UK, Portugal, and Canada, as victims included citizens from these countries. The investigation team has retrieved flight data, collected witness statements, and is analyzing medical and engineering reports.
While no immediate safety recommendations have been issued for Boeing 787-8 operators, the investigation is ongoing. Experts from various domains, including aviation psychology, medicine, and engineering, have been engaged.
This preliminary report provides crucial insight into the moments leading up to the accident, but stops short of assigning blame. Conclusions will be drawn after further technical analysis and evaluation of all data sources, including maintenance records, component testing, and human factors analysis.
