The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically claimed the lives of 260 people, including 240 passengers.
New Angle: Was the Crash Deliberate?
In a significant development, aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan has raised the possibility of deliberate human action in the cockpit, based on cockpit voice recordings and fuel switch activity revealed in the AAIB’s preliminary report.
“Absolutely,” Captain Ranganathan told NDTV when asked if a pilot could have intentionally shut off the fuel to the engines, fully aware of the consequences.
“It has to be manually done. It cannot be done automatically or due to a power failure because the fuel selectors are not the sliding type. They are designed to stay in a slot, and you have to pull them out to move them up or down. So, the possibility of inadvertently moving them to the ‘off’ position doesn’t arise. It’s definitely a case of deliberate manual selection to move it to ‘off’.”
(Source- NDTV)
Fuel Switch and Voice Data Support Theory
The AAIB report confirms that both fuel cutoff switches were moved from ‘Run’ to ‘Cutoff’ at the critical point of 180 knots airspeed, just before liftoff.
Additionally, cockpit voice recordings revealed confusion between the pilots:
“Why did you cut off?” one pilot asked.
“I did not do so,” the other replied.
This exchange, according to Captain Ranganathan, may point toward a conflict or miscommunication, or possibly an intentional act by one of the pilots.
The 15-page report offers initial insights into the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The probe focuses on the engine behavior, pilot communication, and data from the Engine and Flight Recorder (EAFR).
10 Key Takeaways from the AAIB Report
1. Fuel Cutoff Switches Activated Mid-Takeoff
At 13:38:42 IST, the aircraft reached 180 knots (indicated airspeed). Right after, the fuel cutoff switches for both engines moved from ‘Run’ to ‘Cutoff’, abruptly shutting down fuel flow.
2. Quick Attempt to Relight Engines
Within seconds, the fuel switches were returned to ‘Run’, and EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) readings rose—suggesting that combustion restarted as part of a relight effort.
3. Confused Cockpit Communication
The cockpit voice recorder revealed one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the other replied, “I did not do so.” This indicates a possible miscommunication or misunderstanding between the flight crew.
4. Engine Core Speeds Dropped
The EAFR data confirmed that both engines’ N2 values (core rotor speeds) dropped below idle levels, which is abnormal during takeoff and a critical phase of flight.
5. Engine 1 Showed Partial Recovery
After the relight attempt, Engine 1’s deceleration reversed, showing signs of regaining power and stability.
6. Engine 2 Could Not Recover
Although Engine 2 restarted briefly, it failed to stabilize, and core speed continued to fall, despite multiple efforts to reintroduce fuel.
7. Combustion Evidence in Both Engines
Rising EGT values during relight efforts indicated active combustion in both engines—suggesting that the engines attempted to reignite after the cutoff.
8. Aft Recorder Was Too Damaged
The rear EAFR unit was severely damaged and could not be accessed using standard methods, limiting available data.
9. No Safety Alerts Issued Yet
At this stage, the AAIB has not issued any safety recommendations for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engine operators.
10. Investigation Still Ongoing
The AAIB has stated that more evidence is being collected from relevant stakeholders. The case remains under active investigation, with further findings expected in the next phase.
Crash Details and Current Stand
The aircraft crashed into the hostel area of BJ Medical College, just beyond the airport premises. Of the 241 passengers and crew, only one person survived, making it one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in India.
Although Boeing and GE—the engine manufacturer—have come under public scrutiny following the crash, no formal blame has been assigned yet. Both companies have not received any safety directives at this point.
Boeing responded with a brief statement:
“We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13.”
As pressure mounts for accountability, the AAIB will continue analyzing technical evidence and cockpit procedures. The final report is expected to provide a clearer picture of what caused the engines to shut down mid-takeoff—and whether it was human error, mechanical failure, or a systems malfunction.
