Boeing releases statement on Air India crash initial report: 'Continue to support investigation'

On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of over 270 people.

US plane maker Boeing, early on Saturday, said it is supporting the ongoing probe into the crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, which killed over 250 people, and has deferred to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as the lead authority under global aviation norms.

“Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad,” Boeing said in a statement.

“We continue to support the investigation and our customer. We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13,” it said.

The statement comes after India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that killed 241 people onboard and 30 on the ground.

The report revealed that both engine fuel cutoff switches were moved to the “CUTOFF” position during takeoff, immediately cutting thrust to both engines. Though the switches were reset to “RUN” seconds later, the engines did not recover in time. The aircraft lost altitude and crashed into a medical college hostel near Ahmedabad airport.

According to the report, the aircraft reached a top airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC. Moments later, both fuel switches were flipped within one second of each other, cutting off fuel supply and causing rotor speeds in both engines to drop sharply.

Flight AI171 was en route to London Gatwick and remained airborne for just 32 seconds. The crash site was located 0.9 nautical miles from the runway. Only one passenger survived.

The aircraft had undergone recent engine overhauls. A 2018 FAA advisory had warned that fuel cutoff switches on the 787 could be accidentally triggered and recommended protective guards. Air India had not implemented the non-mandatory advisory.

The investigation is being led by the AAIB, with support from Boeing, the US NTSB, FAA, GE Aerospace, and the UK AAIB, in line with ICAO’s Annex 13 protocol.