12/07/2025
The preliminary report on Air India Flight 171 has been released, revealing the startling fact that fuel supply to both engines was cut off.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has published its initial findings into the crash of Air India Flight 171, which tragically killed 260 people. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), was en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick (LGW) when it crashed on June 12, 2025. The incident marks the first hull loss involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, prompting serious concerns and widespread speculation.
Here are 8 key takeaways from the 15-page preliminary report revealed on July 11, 2025:
1. The fuel control switches for both engines shifted from RUN to CUTOFF three seconds after takeoff, within one second of each other.
2. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), deployed immediately after takeoff.
3. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” The other pilot responded, “I did not do so.”
4. Flight data indicates an automatic relight was attempted. Engine 1 restarted successfully, but Engine 2 failed to recover despite several attempts.
5. At 08:09:05 UTC, a mayday call was transmitted just seconds before the aircraft crashed into buildings beyond the airport perimeter.
6. The flap and landing gear levers were set accordingly. Although the thrust levers were at takeoff power during flight, they were found at idle post-impact, confirming that fuel cutoff occurred mid-flight.
7. The aircraft held valid airworthiness certification. It had a few non-critical maintenance items (MELs) in categories C and D, but none were related to the fuel control system.
8. Boeing had previously issued a non-mandatory advisory regarding concerns over the fuel control switch lock mechanism. Air India had not carried out the optional inspections. However, the aircraft had undergone throttle module replacements in 2019 and 2023.
