Air India Crash Report: The preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau was made public one month after the Ahmedabad disaster of Air India Flight AI171. Only seconds after taking off, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was on a scheduled flight to London Gatwick, crashed, killing 260 people, including those on the ground. One of the greatest aircraft disasters in Indian history occurred when only one of the 242 people on board survived.

The 15-page assessment poses severe doubts regarding the cause of the aircraft’s twin engines shutting down in midair by detailing a series of critical malfunctions in the moments following liftoff.

Major Findings in Report:
1. Sudden Engine Shutdown: Within seconds of takeoff, both engines experienced a sudden shutdown. According to flight data, the engines’ fuel cut-off switches switched from the “RUN” to the “CUTOFF” positions within a single second, cutting off the fuel supply and resulting in a complete loss of thrust.

2. Cockpit Confusion: Voice records showed a pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other pilot replied, “I didn’t.” This conversation added to the puzzle by implying that neither pilot started the shutdown.

3. Emergency Systems Deployed: When the aircraft lost hydraulic power, CCTV footage verified that the Ram Air Turbine, a backup mechanism utilized during power outages, automatically deployed.

4. Partial Recovery Attempt: The flight crew restarted both engines. Engine 1 began to recover but failed to produce enough thrust in time. Engine 2 failed to relight before the aircraft crashed.

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5. Crash Time and Location: The aircraft reached 180 knots in just 32 seconds of flight before losing lift and colliding with a hostel building around 0.9 nautical miles from the runway.

6. Thrust Lever Discrepancy: Flight data revealed that takeoff thrust had been ordered, but investigators discovered the thrust levers were at idle, suggesting a potential system breakdown or disconnect.

7. No gasoline Contamination: Investigators found no problems with refueling methods or sources, and gasoline samples tested clean.

8. Normal Takeoff Configuration: Observers noted no bird activity or unfavorable weather conditions. The crew left the landing gear down and set the flaps at 5 degrees. The skies remained clear, and visibility was excellent.

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