Air India AI171 Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals Technical Anomalies, Human Factors Under Scrutiny

A Catastrophic Take-off Ends in Tragedy

On June 12, 2025, one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters unfolded as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed moments after Take-off, the crash killed 260 people—241 onboard and 19 on the ground—and left just one survivor. As investigations commenced, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report detailing a complex sequence of technical anomalies, cockpit behavior, and procedural integrity. While the report stops short of assigning blame, it uncovers troubling insights and sets the stage for a more intensive probe.

Immediate Response and Global Collaboration

The crash was reported to the AAIB at 0809 UTC on June 12. A five-member AAIB team led by the Director General arrived at the crash site in Ahmedabad the same day, joined by three safety officers from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In accordance with international aviation protocols (ICAO Annex 13), the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)—representing the aircraft’s state of manufacture—was notified. Additional notifications were sent to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada, as the fatalities included citizens from these countries.

The NTSB sent an Accredited Representative, accompanied by technical experts from Boeing, General Electric (GE), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Representatives from the AAIB-UK and other international aviation boards also visited the site, emphasizing the high level of global scrutiny.

Crash Site: Impact and Destruction

The aircraft disintegrated upon striking the BJ Medical College hostel, located just 0.9 nautical miles from the end of Runway 23. The crash damaged five major structures and ignited a fire that consumed large parts of the wreckage. The aircraft was completely destroyed.

Drone-based videography, debris mapping, and physical inspections were completed, and wreckage was relocated to a secure area for deeper analysis. Engines and other critical components were quarantined for technical evaluation.

Flight Data Recorders and Anomalies in the Cockpit

The Dreamliner was equipped with two Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), capable of capturing digital flight and cockpit voice data. The forward EAFR, with backup power via Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS), yielded significant data for investigation.

Initial analysis revealed a puzzling detail: the fuel control switches, which had been toggled to "CUT-OFF" during the flight, were found in the "RUN" position at the crash site. This suggests a last-minute attempt by the crew to regain engine power. Data shows that after the engines shut down, they began relighting—indicating they remained functional up to the point of impact.

Importantly, the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) did not activate, a rare anomaly in modern aircraft crashes, further complicating the recovery and initial location efforts.

Witness Accounts and Survivor Testimony

Investigators gathered eyewitness accounts and statements from the lone survivor, helping reconstruct the brief flight’s timeline. Witnesses described the aircraft lifting off normally before suddenly veering and descending. The survivor’s testimony corroborates these observations and provided crucial insights into onboard conditions during the final moments.

Technical Examination: Engines, Fuel, and Protocols

The aircraft's GE GEnx-1B engines were removed and quarantined for forensic examination. Preliminary assessments found no mechanical defects suggesting catastrophic failure. Fuel samples from the aircraft’s bowsers and onboard tanks were tested and deemed satisfactory. However, only limited quantities could be retrieved from certain components such as the APU filter and refuel valves, and these are undergoing further tests at specialized labs.

Notably, safety checks and pre-flight procedures were confirmed to have been followed appropriately, suggesting that the issue was not rooted in negligence or oversight by ground personnel.

Medical and Psychological Review of Crew

In a comprehensive effort to understand the human dimension of the crash, the AAIB has included aviation medical and psychological experts in its investigation. Postmortem reports of the crew are being reviewed to identify any physiological or psychological conditions that may have contributed to the tragedy. This aspect of the investigation could be key to explaining unexplained cockpit actions observed in the flight data.

What the Report Does—and Doesn’t—Conclude

The preliminary report is deliberately cautious. While confirming several irregularities and mechanical oddities, it avoids attributing fault at this stage. Both Boeing and GE have been cleared of immediate suspicion. No systemic flaws have been found in the aircraft design or engines thus far, and no urgent recommendations have been made to operators of the B787-8 or its GEnx engines.

Investigators continue to gather additional evidence, maintenance logs, crew health records, and manufacturer data for a more conclusive analysis in the final report.

An Ongoing Quest for Answers

The crash of AI171 stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and multifaceted nature of aviation disasters. The preliminary findings reveal no single cause but instead point to a convergence of technical, procedural, and possibly human factors. While the Dreamliner and its engines remain technically vindicated for now, questions about the cockpit decisions and last-second fuel system manipulations remain unanswered.

As the investigation deepens, the priority remains to uncover the full truth—not only for the families of the 260 victims but also for the global aviation community. This incident may yet reshape cockpit design philosophies, crew training protocols, and emergency response procedures. The skies demand accountability, and the next stage of the inquiry must ensure it is delivered.

(With agency inputs)