AHMEDABAD — In the tragic moments after takeoff, something went terribly wrong aboard Air India Flight 171. Just seconds into the flight from Ahmedabad, both engines of the Boeing 787 lost power — and within a minute, the aircraft plunged into a nearby medical college hostel, claiming the lives of all 260 people onboard.
Now, a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) offers a chilling insight into what happened during those final seconds: confusion and possible disorientation in the cockpit over the aircraft’s fuel control systems.
Critical Misstep in the Sky
According to the AAIB report, the twin fuel switches supplying both engines were somehow moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position shortly after takeoff — a move that effectively choked fuel to the engines and led to their immediate power loss.
Disturbingly, the cockpit voice recorder captured a confused exchange between the two pilots:
“Why did you turn off the fuel?” one pilot asked in alarm.
“I didn’t do it,” the other replied.
That brief exchange, occurring in the most critical phase of flight, raises serious concerns about cockpit coordination, situational awareness, and aircraft systems handling.
Timeline of the Tragedy
- 08:08:39 UTC (13:38:39 IST): Flight 171 lifts off from Ahmedabad airport.
- Within seconds, the aircraft reaches 180 knots — a normal takeoff speed.
- Moments later: Fuel cutoff switches for both engines are disengaged, cutting off power.
- 08:09:05 UTC: One pilot sends out a desperate “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” distress call.
- No response is received before the aircraft crashes.
The plane crashed into a section of a nearby medical college, turning a routine flight into one of the darkest days in Indian aviation history — and the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787.
What the Investigation Shows So Far
While the report confirms that the engines lost power after the fuel cutoff, it rules out fuel contamination as a cause. Samples from the refueling tanks were clean, pointing toward a mechanical or human failure.
Investigators are now combing through data from the aircraft’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) to determine whether the switch-off was accidental, procedural error, or a result of system malfunction.
Both engines have been recovered and the aircraft wreckage has been secured. Testimonies from eyewitnesses and surviving individuals on the ground are being collected to complete the picture.
Experienced Crew, Unanswered Questions
The crew’s experience was extensive. The Pilot in Command had logged over 15,638 flight hours, and the First Officer had more than 3,400 hours of flying experience. Yet, in those few seconds, something went catastrophically wrong.
The incident now raises uncomfortable questions about training standards, crew resource management (CRM), and response protocols in high-pressure scenarios.
Industry Response
Air India has expressed deep sorrow and has stated it is working closely with authorities to assist in the investigation and review operational practices. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has also pledged full cooperation under international aviation safety standards.
In a joint statement, the companies said their focus remains on “supporting the investigation and learning everything possible to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.”
What Comes Next
This is just the preliminary report. The AAIB emphasized that the full investigation is ongoing and that its final report will include comprehensive findings and safety recommendations — likely impacting procedures not only within Air India but potentially across global aviation operations.
For now, the families of 260 victims await answers — as investigators piece together the moments when routine turned to disaster, and why two experienced pilots couldn’t stop it.
