The preliminary report regarding the Air India flight AI171 crash on June 12th in Ahmedabad, has revealed a series of alarming events that occurred moments after takeoff. The report, released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), highlights that the fuel supply to both engines was abruptly cut off, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust.
According to the AAIB's preliminary findings, just three seconds after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, lifted off the ground, the fuel control switches for both engines transitioned from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position within a split second of each other. This sudden action starved the engines of fuel, causing them to lose power almost immediately. The report indicates that the aircraft reached a maximum airspeed of 180 knots (IAS) and then, the fuel cutoff switches were triggered.
Adding to the mystery, cockpit voice recordings (CVR) captured a baffling exchange between the pilots. One pilot can be heard asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other responded that he did not do so. This suggests that the reason behind the fuel cutoff is still unknown and under investigation.
The sudden loss of engine power triggered the automatic deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source. Despite attempts to relight the engines, only one engine managed to recover partially, while the other remained unresponsive. The pilots then transmitted a "MAYDAY" call, signaling the emergency. The aircraft, unable to maintain altitude, crashed shortly after takeoff, hitting a medical hostel complex near the airport.
The crash resulted in a devastating loss of life, with 260 fatalities, including 241 of the 242 people on board. There was only one survivor. Additionally, at least 19 people on the ground were killed as the plane collided with buildings in a residential area.
Despite the alarming findings, the AAIB's preliminary report does not recommend any immediate actions for Boeing 787-8 operators or engine manufacturers. This suggests that the investigation has not yet identified any inherent faults with the aircraft or its engines. However, the investigation is ongoing and will include further analysis of the wreckage, post-mortem examinations, and component inspections.
Investigators have confirmed that the aircraft had valid airworthiness certificates and had recently undergone routine maintenance checks. The fuel used was also found to meet quality standards. Furthermore, the pilots were fully qualified and had no recent duty irregularities or reported medical issues.
The AAIB is continuing to gather additional evidence, records, and information from stakeholders to determine the exact cause of the crash. The wreckage has been moved to a secure area for further examination, and the black box data is being analyzed in detail. The final report is expected to take up to a year to complete.
