Air India Flight 171 Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals Shocking Details

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 279 lives, including 241 passengers and 38 people on the ground. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, sparking a massive rescue operation.

Key Findings:

- Fuel Cutoff Switches: The investigation revealed that the fuel cutoff switches moved from the 'RUN' to the 'CUTOFF' position almost simultaneously, within a second of each other, cutting off fuel supply to both engines.

- Engine Failure: The shutdown of both engines triggered the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), and the aircraft began losing altitude rapidly.

- Cockpit Conversation: The cockpit voice recording captured a pilot asking, "Why did you cut off?" with the other pilot responding, "I did not do so," raising questions about the cause of the simultaneous dual-engine failure.

Mechanic's Perspective:

"I think when anything like a mechanical structure cuts off fuel automatically without any human input, it would probably mean a software update failure. Perhaps there's a glitch in the system that triggered the fuel cutoff switches to move to the 'CUTOFF' position. I'd also like to investigate the flight control sensors – were they functioning correctly? A faulty sensor could have sent incorrect readings, leading to the engines shutting down."

— Rodney J Chibanguza, Automotive Engineer

Insight:

The Brain of Jet Engines: Electronic Engine Control (EEC)  

🔹 How It Works  

The EEC is a computerized system that constantly monitors and adjusts engine performance by:  

- Analyzing 100+ parameters per second (temperature, pressure, RPM)  

- Automatically adjusting fuel flow for optimal efficiency  

- Protecting against dangerous conditions like overspeed or overheating  

🔹 Key Focus Points  

- Acts as the engine’s "autopilot" from startup to shutdown  

- Can switch to backup mode if primary systems fail  

- Learns and adapts to engine wear over time  

- Reduces pilot workload during critical phases  

Poll:  

What’s most impressive about modern engine controls?  

✅ Self-diagnosis capabilities  

✅ Real-time performance optimization  

✅ Ability to prevent catastrophic failures  

⭕ Did You Know?  

A single EEC processes more data than the Apollo guidance computers – making 400+ adjustments per minute during takeoff!  

Open-Ended Question:  

How do you think AI could further improve engine control systems?  

Fun Fact:  

During bird strikes, the EEC can detect abnormal vibrations and automatically adjust other engines to compensate!  

Behind the Scenes  

Engineers test EECs by simulating 10 years of flight operations in just 3 months of continuous stress testing.  

Status:

Others:

Human Factors: The Ongoing Challenge in Modern Aviation

As aircraft become more automated, it's tempting to believe technology can handle everything. To be fair, automation has improved safety, reduced workload, and increased efficiency throughout every phase of flight. But relying too heavily on it without active engagement creates a different kind of risk: complacency.

Despite the advancements, the pilot's role is still critical. We are the ones entering flight plans, managing automation modes, interpreting system feedback, and making real-time decisions when something unexpected happens. Automation helps, but it does not replace situational awareness, judgment, or airmanship.

Today's flight decks demand deep system knowledge, sharp mental focus, and strong crew coordination. This is why human factors like decision-making, communication, and workload management remain central to aviation safety.

Technology is a powerful ally. But it is still the human behind the controls who makes the difference.

reference: https://www.facebook.com/100044214347061/posts/pfbid0u68W1jNqjpvBJp8ER7NDc8D5aQ6iU3xckdqJz7TNQGDfAmMHA7LYDAgMABRaBpzyl/?app=fbl

Investigation Status:

The AAAB's investigation is ongoing, with assistance from international authorities. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are providing support. A high-level committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, has been constituted to examine possible causes and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.

Other report:

Bollywood:

References:

- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). (2025). Preliminary Report: Air India Flight 171 Crash.

- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2025). Safety Alert: Dual-Engine Failure Investigation.

- UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). (2025). Investigation Update: Air India Flight 171.

Aftermath:

The crash led to widespread shock and grief, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders expressing condolences. The government has activated a control room and issued helpline numbers for affected families. Insurers like SBI Life, HDFC Life, and ICICI Lombard have eased claim settlement processes to support grieving families.

Remembering the Victims:

The crash claimed the lives of notable individuals, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. DNA testing is being used to identify victims, with 119 DNA samples matched so far, and 76 bodies handed over to families.