Air India crash report: Engines cut mid-air, pilots caught in cockpit confusion | Key points

Investigators from UK, Portugal, and Canada also joined, as the victims included citizens from these countries.

Investigators looking into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 have revealed that both engines shut down within seconds after takeoff, leading to a catastrophic loss of power and lives.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed less than a minute after takeoff on June 12, killing over 270 people, including students housed in a college hostel. Only one passenger survived.

A preliminary report compiled by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) outlines what exactly went wrong in the final 32 seconds.

Key points from the preliminary report

1. Both engines were shut down mid-air

• Data shows fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from RUN to CUTOFF, one after the other.
• This caused a complete loss of thrust just seconds after liftoff.

• Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other: “Why did you cutoff?”
• The reply: “I didn’t.”
• Investigators say this points to either an accidental switch movement or a system failure.

• Takeoff was at 08:08:39 UTC.
• A 'Mayday' call was made at 08:09:05 UTC.
• The aircraft crashed by 08:09:11 UTC, just 0.9 nautical miles from the runway.

• Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup device for emergency power, was seen deploying on CCTV footage moments after engine shutdown.

• The crew moved the fuel switches back to RUN.
• Engine 1 began recovering; Engine 2 failed to sustain power.
• Relight sequence was in progress when the crash occurred.

• Thrust levers were found at idle in the wreckage.
• But black box data showed they were still in takeoff position, hinting at a possible mechanical disconnect.

• No birdstrike, no bad weather, and no fire were reported.
• Fuel was clean, and there were no dangerous goods onboard.

• Both pilots were well-rested, fit to fly, and experienced on the aircraft type.

• A 2018 FAA safety bulletin had warned about a potential flaw in the fuel control switch locking system on similar Boeing models.
• Air India did not perform the suggested inspection, as the advisory was not mandatory.

• The aircraft struck five buildings, including a hostel of BJ Medical College.
• Parts of the aircraft were found spread across a debris field over 750 feet wide.
• 19 people on the ground were also killed.

• Wreckage indicated the aircraft was in a nose-up attitude, with wings level at the time of impact.
• Both flight recorders were recovered, though the rear recorder was too damaged to extract data.
• The forward recorder revealed audio and data from six flights, including the crash flight.

• Both engines have been quarantined and are under further examination.
• Post-mortem analysis, witness statements, and forensic testing are underway.
• So far, no safety directive has been issued for Boeing 787s or GE engines.

The probe includes experts from the NTSB (USA), Boeing, GE, and FAA. Investigators from UK, Portugal, and Canada also joined, as the victims included citizens from these countries.