Air India Flight 171 Boeing 787 Crash Investigation Report
Executive Summary
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed in Ahmedabad, India, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The aircraft, operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), crashed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, approximately 1.7 kilometers from the departure airport. Of the 242 people on board (230 passengers and 12 crew members), 241 died, with only one passenger surviving. Additionally, 19 people on the ground were killed and 67 others seriously injured, bringing the total fatalities to 260.
This marked the first fatal accident and hull loss involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft type entered service in 2011.
Aircraft Details
Aircraft Information:
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Operator: Air India
- Registration: [Specific registration pending investigation disclosure]
- Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW)
- Crew: 12 members
- Passengers: 230
Aircraft Status:
- The aircraft was deemed airworthy at the time of departure
- Maintenance records were up-to-date
- No hazardous cargo was being transported
- The aircraft had undergone all required inspections
Timeline of Events
June 12, 2025:
- Flight 171 departed from Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) bound for London Gatwick (LGW)
- Shortly after takeoff, the crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control
- The aircraft experienced immediate engine failure and loss of altitude
- The Boeing 787 crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel block
- Emergency response teams were deployed immediately
June 17, 2025:
- Black boxes (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) were successfully recovered
- International investigation team assembled with experts from India, UK, and US
July 12, 2025:
- Preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
Investigation Findings
Key Technical Findings
Engine Fuel Control System Failure: The preliminary investigation revealed critical findings regarding the aircraft’s fuel control system:
- Fuel Control Switch Movement: Both engine fuel control switches in the cockpit were found to have been moved to the “cutoff” position
- Dual Engine Shutdown: Both engines shut down within one second of each other, leading to immediate loss of power and altitude
- Fuel Starvation: The movement of the fuel control switches effectively starved both engines of fuel supply
Flight Data Analysis
Black Box Data Recovery:
- Both integrated flight and voice data recorders were successfully analyzed
- Data confirmed the rapid sequence of events leading to engine failure
- The first officer was identified as the pilot flying at the time of the crash
- Voice recordings captured the crew’s emergency response procedures
Investigation Focus Areas
Primary Investigation Lines:
- Mechanical Failure vs. Human Action:
- Investigators are examining whether the fuel control switches moved due to mechanical failure or human intervention
- The preliminary report does not conclusively determine if the switches were moved by a person or due to system malfunction
- Potential Criminal Investigation:
- Aviation safety experts, including former NTSB investigators, have suggested the incident is being investigated as a potential “criminal act”
- The precise cause of the fuel control switch movement remains under investigation
- Historical Design Concerns:
- A 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory had previously warned of potential flaws in fuel-control systems
- Investigators are examining whether this historical concern is related to the accident
International Cooperation
Investigating Agencies:
- Lead Agency: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Supporting Agencies:
- UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB-UK)
- US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – providing technical support
- Indian Air Force personnel
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
International Protocol: Following ICAO Chicago Convention (1944) protocols, India leads the investigation as the accident occurred in Indian territory, with international agencies providing technical expertise and support.
Safety Response and Industry Actions
Air India’s Immediate Response
Fleet Inspections:
- Air India completed precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch locking mechanisms across their entire Boeing 787 fleet
- Extended inspections to include Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Air India Express (low-cost subsidiary)
- Enhanced maintenance protocols implemented
Operational Changes:
- Review of fuel system procedures
- Enhanced crew training on fuel control system emergency procedures
- Coordination with Boeing for technical guidance
Regulatory Response
FAA Statement: The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed readiness to provide technical support and deploy investigation teams in coordination with the NTSB when requested by Indian authorities.
Boeing Cooperation: Boeing is providing technical support to the investigation, including expertise on 787 fuel control systems and maintenance procedures.
Current Investigation Status
Preliminary Report Status:
- Preliminary report released on July 12, 2025
- Investigation remains ongoing with multiple theories under examination
- Final investigation report expected approximately three months after the incident (mid-September 2025)
Outstanding Questions:
- Definitive cause of fuel control switch movement
- Potential mechanical failure modes
- Human factors analysis
- Systemic safety recommendations
Comparative Analysis
Aviation Safety Context:
- First fatal Boeing 787 accident since the type entered service in 2011
- With 260 total fatalities, this crash surpassed Northwest Airlines Flight 255 as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent history
- Highlights the critical importance of dual-engine redundancy systems and emergency procedures
Technical Implications:
- Raises questions about fuel control system design and fail-safes
- Emphasizes the need for robust locking mechanisms on critical flight systems
- Potential implications for Boeing 787 fleet operations worldwide
Conclusions and Ongoing Investigations
The Air India Flight 171 investigation represents a critical examination of modern aviation safety systems. The preliminary findings indicating simultaneous fuel control switch movement and dual-engine shutdown have raised significant questions about aircraft system design, maintenance procedures, and potential security concerns.
Key areas requiring continued investigation include:
- Determination of whether the fuel control switch movement was mechanical or human-caused
- Analysis of potential design flaws in fuel control systems
- Review of crew training and emergency response procedures
- Assessment of maintenance and inspection protocols
The international cooperation in this investigation demonstrates the global commitment to aviation safety and the importance of thorough accident investigation in preventing future tragedies.
Final Report Timeline: The comprehensive final investigation report is anticipated to be released in mid-September 2025, which will provide definitive conclusions about the cause of the accident and recommendations for preventing similar incidents.
This report is based on preliminary investigation findings and public statements from official sources as of August 2025. The investigation remains ongoing, and final conclusions await the completion of the comprehensive investigation process.
Additional Resources
Official Investigation Bodies:
- India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- Aviation Safety Network Database
Technical References:
News and Analysis:
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