The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report regarding the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The report, which examines the sequence of events and engine behavior leading up to the crash of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, indicates that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. The agency has not yet issued any safety recommendations for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.

Key Findings of the Preliminary Report

The AAIB's 15-page preliminary report offers the first official insight into the events that transpired. The report highlights the following key findings:

• Fuel Cutoff: Seconds after liftoff, the fuel control switches for both engines transitioned from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position in quick succession. This action starved the engines of fuel, leading to a loss of thrust.
• Engine Speed Reduction: Data from the Engine and Flight Recorder (EAFR) revealed that the N2 values (a measure of engine speed) in both engines fell below the minimum idle speed.
• Pilots' Confusion: The cockpit voice recording captured a brief exchange between the pilots, with one asking, "Why did you cut off?" and the other responding, "I did not do so". This suggests possible miscommunication or an unexplained event.
• Attempted Relight: The fuel switches were quickly returned to the 'RUN' position, and there was an attempt to relight the engines. The exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) rose, indicating that the relight efforts were initiated.
• Limited Success: Despite the attempted restart, only one engine recovered fully before the plane crashed approximately 32 seconds after becoming airborne.
• No Immediate Recommendations: The AAIB has not recommended any actions for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers at this stage of the investigation.

Investigation Details and Next Steps

The AAIB investigation is ongoing, and the team will review and examine additional evidence, records, and information from stakeholders. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also participating in the probe, with technical advisors from Boeing, GE, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assisting.

The AAIB is also seeking to retrieve data from the aft Engine and Aircraft Flight Recorder (EAFR), which was substantially damaged in the incident. The comprehensive report is expected by June 12, 2026.

Responses to the Preliminary Report

Following the release of the preliminary report, various stakeholders have issued statements:

• Air India: Acknowledged receipt of the preliminary report from the AAIB.
• Boeing: Stated they would defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence to international protocol.
• Pilots' Association: The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) has called for a fair and fact-based probe into the crash.

Important Considerations

It is important to note that the AAIB's report is preliminary, and its findings may evolve as the investigation progresses. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has urged the public not to draw any conclusions until the final report is released. According to a former head of the AAIB, initial findings of aircraft crash investigations and the final findings are different in most cases.