"Air India AI171 Crash: AAIB Preliminary Report Confirms No Technical Faults in Ahmedabad Tragedy"
Air India flight AI171 crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260. AAIB report finds no faults yet; investigation continues.
image for illustrative purpose
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical college hostel just seconds after becoming airborne, killing all 260 people on board.
Air India AI171 Crash: What the AAIB Report Reveals
The initial findings from the AAIB investigation confirm that no mechanical faults have been identified in the aircraft or its engines so far. There is no recommendation for immediate regulatory action against Boeing or the engine manufacturer.
Key Highlights of the AAIB Preliminary Report:
- Fuel and Weight Compliance:
The aircraft had 54,200 kg of fuel at departure. Its takeoff weight of 213,401 kg was within the acceptable limits defined for the Boeing 787-8.
Timeline of Events:
- The aircraft lifted off at 13:08:39 IST.
- Shortly after, both engine fuel control switches were turned off, then back on within one second.
- At 13:09:05 IST, the flight crew issued a distress call: “Mayday, mayday, mayday.”
- No response was received by Air Traffic Control (ATC) before the aircraft crashed.
Crash and Recovery:
The aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel located near the airport perimeter.
Wreckage was documented using drones and then moved to a secure site near the airport for further analysis.
Engine and Fuel Examination:
Both engines were recovered and quarantined in a hangar for detailed inspection.
Fuel samples from the aircraft's bowsers and tanks were found to be satisfactory, with no contamination reported in tests conducted at DGCA’s certified lab.
Investigation Continues
While the AAIB has released preliminary details, the full investigation into the Air India AI171 crash remains ongoing. Final conclusions will be drawn after a thorough examination of flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, engine systems, and crew performance analysis.
