The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report regarding the Air India Flight 171 crash to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and relevant authorities. The report, based on initial findings, is expected to be made public soon, possibly later this week.
Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London from Ahmedabad, crashed on June 12 shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash occurred approximately 32 seconds after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 people, including the flight crew. Only one passenger, who was seated in 11A, survived the crash. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The AAIB's investigation is comprehensive, with investigators recovering the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder in the days following the crash. The data from the black boxes has been successfully downloaded and is being analyzed. A "golden chassis" was used to verify the recovery.
A key area of focus for the investigation is the possibility of a dual-engine failure, potentially caused by electrical faults or issues with the fuel switch. Investigators are examining whether one of the engines was accidentally switched off during the critical takeoff phase, which could have prevented the aircraft from gaining altitude. In an attempt to understand the circumstances of the crash, Air India training pilots in Mumbai conducted simulator sessions, trying to replicate potential failure scenarios using the same trim sheet data (the aircraft's weight and balance document). However, they were unable to reproduce the conditions that led to the crash. It has been noted that Air India pilots are not specifically trained to handle a dual-engine failure below 400 feet, which is being considered as a potential contributing factor in the accident.
The public release of the preliminary report is highly anticipated, as it is expected to provide clarity on several technical aspects surrounding the fatal incident. The global airline industry is keenly following the AI 171 probe, as it marks the first major accident involving a Boeing 787. The investigation will serve as a crucial case study of the Boeing 787 systems. The preliminary findings, if substantial, could potentially reshape B787 operations.
India is expected to release the preliminary report to the public as the 30-day limit to submit it to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) ends this week. While the ICAO does not mandate the public release of such reports, there is anticipation that India will do so this time. In the past, India did not release the preliminary report of the 2020 Calicut Air India Express accident. Most countries release their preliminary findings to the public to learn lessons and prevent similar accidents.
