India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report into the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed just seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.
The AAIB’s 15-page report shows key technical events and cockpit conversations leading up to the crash. In a chilling moment captured on the cockpit voice recorder, one of the pilots aboard the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 is heard asking, “Why did you cutoff?” The other pilot responded, “I did not do so,” according to the preliminary report released by AAIB.
This brief but critical exchange occurred just after both engines shut down in-flight, seconds after take-off. The report reveals that both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other, cutting fuel supply and initiating a fatal chain of events.
10 KEY TAKEWAYS FROM REPORT
-
Both fuel cutoff switches were moved from RUN to CUTOFF within one second after take-off, shutting down both engines midair. This simultaneous shutdown cut fuel supply and led to both engines losing thrust mid-air.
-
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cutoff?” to which the other responded, “I did not.” The brief exchange raises questions over possible technical malfunction or miscommunication in the cockpit.
-
The aircraft crashed into BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad seconds after liftoff, killing all 260 onboard and on the ground. Of the 260 people who died, 241 were passengers and crew, while 19 were casualties on the ground.
-
The aircraft reached a top speed of 180 knots before both engines lost thrust simultaneously. The rapid loss of speed and altitude followed almost immediately after the fuel switches were flipped.
-
CCTV footage showed the Ram Air Turbine deploying immediately after liftoff – an emergency system triggered by power loss. The RAT typically activates during power loss, confirming that the engines had shut down mid-air.
-
After the initial cutoff, both fuel switches were moved back to RUN; one engine briefly stabilized, but the other failed to recover. Engine 2 showed signs of brief recovery, but Engine 1 failed to stabilise and thrust could not be regained.
-
Investigators found no evidence of bird activity near the flight path, ruling it out as a possible cause. This eliminated bird strike as a cause for the dual engine failure after take-off.
-
Despite throttles being at takeoff setting until impact, both were found in idle position post-crash due to thermal damage. The AAIB noted this was likely due to severe thermal damage in the crash aftermath.
-
The aircraft’s forward Extended Airframe Flight Recorder (EAFR) was recovered and successfully downloaded. However, the aft EAFR was too badly damaged to retrieve data through conventional means.
-
Components of interest have been quarantined; at this stage, no advisory has been issued to Boeing or GE engine operators. The AAIB has not issued any advisory yet to Boeing or GE, as the root cause is still under investigation.
– Ends
Tune In