English 
Air India Flight 171 Crash: Unraveling the Reasons, Mystery, and Pilot Error Debate
Air India Flight 171 Crash: Unraveling the Reasons, Mystery, and Pilot Error Debate
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, crashed just moments after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, along with at least 19 people on the ground. The tragic incident, one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters, has left investigators, experts, and the public grappling with questions about its causes, the mysterious circumstances surrounding it, and whether pilot error played a role. In this detailed blog post, we explore the preliminary findings, the ongoing investigation, and the controversies surrounding the crash, optimized for SEO to inform and engage readers on www.nriglobe.com.
The Tragic Incident: What Happened to Air India Flight 171?
Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) on June 12, 2025. Piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, the aircraft was airborne for less than a minute, climbing to just 625 feet before losing altitude and crashing into a doctors’ accommodation building at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital. The impact caused a catastrophic explosion, leaving only one survivor among the 242 people on board and killing at least 19 on the ground.
The crash site was marked by devastation, with debris, including aircraft parts and personal belongings, scattered across the dining hall of the medical college hostel. A mayday call was issued by the pilots just before the crash, but the aircraft could not recover in time. The incident has raised urgent questions about what went wrong in those critical seconds after takeoff.
Key Details of the Crash
- Date and Time: June 12, 2025, at approximately 13:39 local time.
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB.
- Pilots: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (15,638 hours of flying experience) and First Officer Clive Kunder (3,403 hours).
- Casualties: 241 fatalities on board, 19 on the ground, one survivor.
- Location: Ahmedabad, India, near the airport.
- Cause: Under investigation, with focus on fuel cutoff switches and possible human error.
Preliminary Findings: The Fuel Cutoff Switch Mystery
The preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released in July 2025, has brought significant attention to the aircraft’s fuel cutoff switches. According to the report, both engine fuel control switches were moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position one second apart, approximately 42 seconds after takeoff at 08:08:42 UTC. This action starved the engines of fuel, causing an immediate loss of thrust and the subsequent crash. The switches were then returned to the “RUN” position, triggering an automatic engine relight, but the aircraft was too low to recover. At the time of impact, one engine was regaining thrust, while the other had relit but had not yet regained power.
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a perplexing exchange between the pilots. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responded, “I did not do so.” This conversation has deepened the mystery, as it remains unclear who moved the switches and why. The report does not identify which pilot spoke, and voice identification is still pending, a critical step in the investigation.
What Are Fuel Cutoff Switches?
Fuel cutoff switches control the flow of fuel to an aircraft’s engines. They are typically used to start or shut down engines on the ground or during specific emergencies, such as an engine fire. Moving these switches to the “CUTOFF” position during flight is highly unusual and almost immediately shuts down the engines. The Boeing 787’s switches have spring-loaded locking mechanisms to prevent accidental movement, requiring a deliberate action to pull and flip them. Experts have noted that the switches being moved one second apart suggests intentional action, as accidental movement is unlikely due to the safeguards.
Was It Pilot Error? The Controversy
The AAIB report’s focus on the fuel cutoff switches has sparked speculation about pilot error, but the investigation has not conclusively attributed blame. The pilots, Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder, were experienced, with a combined 19,041 hours of flying time, including over 9,000 hours on Boeing 787s. Both had passed breathalyzer tests and were deemed fit to fly, having arrived in Ahmedabad the day before with adequate rest.
Theories of Human Error
- Mist mistaken Action: Aviation expert Captain Steve, a commercial pilot and YouTuber, suggested that the co-pilot may have mistakenly pressed the wrong handle, such as retracting the flaps instead of the landing gear. However, this theory has been criticized as speculative, as the preliminary report does not support this claim.
- Deliberate Action: Some U.S. media reports, including one from The Wall Street Journal, have raised the possibility of intentional action by one of the pilots, citing the CVR exchange. This has led to controversial suggestions of pilot suicide, which have been strongly condemned by the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) as “deeply insensitive” and baseless without verified evidence.
- Confusion in the Cockpit: The CVR’s recorded confusion, with one pilot denying responsibility for cutting off the fuel, suggests a possible misunderstanding or miscommunication. Experts like Peter Goelz, a former NTSB managing director, have emphasized the need for clear voice identification and a full transcript to understand the context.
Backlash Against Pilot Blame
The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association and the FIP have criticized media reports and commentators for prematurely pointing to pilot error. FIP chief CS Randhawa condemned a Wall Street Journal article for alleging a pilot mistake without evidence, stating, “Nowhere in the report has it been mentioned that the fuel control switch was turned off due to the pilot’s mistake.” India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, also urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions until the final report is released.
Pilot groups argue that the focus on human error dismisses other possibilities, such as mechanical or electrical failures, and vilifies the crew without sufficient evidence. The AAIB report explicitly states that no conclusions have been drawn, and the investigation is ongoing.
Alternative Theories: Mechanical or Systemic Issues?
While the preliminary report rules out mechanical failure or design flaws by Boeing or GE Aerospace, some experts and pilot groups have called for a broader investigation into other potential causes:
- Fuel Cutoff Switch Design: A 2019 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin noted that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches had disengaged locking mechanisms, potentially allowing accidental movement. Although this issue was not deemed critical enough to mandate inspections, the same switch design is used in the Boeing 787. Air India conducted precautionary inspections on its 787 fleet and found no issues, but questions remain about whether a similar fault could have occurred.
- Electrical or Hydraulic Failure: Analysis of video footage suggests that the landing gear failed to retract fully, possibly due to a loss of hydraulic or electrical power. The emergency power generator (RAT) was deployed, indicating a significant system failure. These findings suggest that the fuel cutoff switch movement may have been a response to an underlying issue, such as an engine power loss, rather than the primary cause.
- Uncommanded Shutdown: Captain Amit Singh of the Safety Matters Foundation noted that the CVR exchange indicates the engine shutdowns may have been “uncommanded,” meaning they occurred without deliberate pilot action. This could point to an electronic or mechanical malfunction not yet identified.
The Investigation: What’s Next?
The AAIB, supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, is leading a complex investigation. Key steps include:
- Voice Identification: Identifying which pilot spoke on the CVR is critical to understanding the context of the fuel cutoff switch movement. This process involves experts familiar with the pilots’ voices.
- Full Transcript Analysis: A complete cockpit transcript, including all communications from pushback to the crash, is needed to provide clarity.
- Cockpit Video Recorders: Experts like Peter Goelz have advocated for cockpit video recorders to provide visual evidence of pilot actions, a recommendation supported by the NTSB but not yet implemented.
- Simulator Testing: Air India pilots have recreated the flight’s configuration in a simulator to test scenarios, such as deployed landing gear, to identify potential flaws.
- Wreckage Analysis: Every component, from scorched cables to the black boxes, is being examined for clues. The flight data recorder (FDR) and CVR, recovered despite fire damage, are providing critical data.
A high-level committee set up by the Indian government will submit a preliminary report within three months and propose new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent future incidents.
The Human Toll and Public Response
The crash has left families devastated, with dozens awaiting DNA test results to claim their loved ones’ remains. The tragedy has also sparked public outrage and grief, with many questioning the safety of air travel in India. Air India, recently acquired by the Tata Group, has faced scrutiny as it seeks to modernize its image. The airline has expressed condolences and is cooperating with the investigation but has refrained from commenting on specific details.
Social media, particularly posts on X, reflects a mix of speculation and concern. Some users have suggested human error, while others emphasize the need for patience until the final report is released. These sentiments highlight the public’s demand for transparency and accountability.
Conclusion: A Mystery Yet to Be Solved
The Air India Flight 171 crash remains a baffling tragedy, with the preliminary report raising more questions than answers. While the movement of the fuel cutoff switches is a focal point, the debate over pilot error, mechanical failure, or systemic issues continues. The ongoing investigation, supported by advanced technology and international expertise, aims to uncover the truth and prevent future disasters. For now, the aviation community and the public await the final report with bated breath, hoping for clarity and closure for the families affected by this heartbreaking event.
Stay tuned to www.nriglobe.com for updates on the Air India crash investigation and other global news. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s discuss how the aviation industry can improve safety to prevent such tragedies.
