One year on, key questions remain in Air India crash investigation
Investigators have yet to determine the exact cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 260 people shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. Despite a year of analysis by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), crucial details about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s sudden loss of power remain unresolved.
Why this matters
The crash of AI171 is one of the deadliest in recent Indian aviation history and involves a modern aircraft type with advanced safety features. Understanding what caused the dual-engine failure is vital for preventing similar tragedies and restoring public confidence in aviation safety. The investigation’s delay and the absence of clear answers have fueled speculation and concern among families, pilots, and experts.
Key developments in the investigation
- The preliminary report revealed that seconds after take-off, the fuel-control switches for both engines moved to the “cut-off” position, causing fuel starvation and total power loss.
- Cockpit audio recorded a pilot asking why the switches were moved, with the other replying, “I did not,” but the voices have not been identified.
- The switches are designed with locking mechanisms to prevent accidental shutdown and are normally only used during engine start, landing, or emergencies.
- Investigators continue to analyze flight recorder data, engine components, maintenance records, and human factors.
- There is debate over whether the switch movements caused the engine failure or were a response to an already developing emergency.
- The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, deployed faster than expected, raising questions about the sequence of events.
Unanswered questions
- Did the engines lose power before or after the fuel-control switches moved?
- Were the fuel-control switches physically moved or was the recorded movement an electronic signal triggered by a system fault?
- Did the aircraft experience any technical issues during the accident flight or previous flights that contributed to the crash?
- Why did the RAT deploy earlier than simulator tests suggest it should?
- Was there a major electrical fault causing a reboot of flight computers that misinterpreted engine thrust?
- What does the full cockpit voice recorder transcript reveal about crew actions and communication?
Challenges and perspectives
Experts note that air crash investigations are complex and often take years to complete. The AAIB is entitled to take additional time under international rules. However, the investigation has become contentious, with pilot groups defending the crew against suggestions of deliberate action, while some media and analysts speculate about human error or mechanical failure.
Some aviation experts argue that the investigation is complicated by multiple competing hypotheses and unresolved leads. Others warn that political and institutional sensitivities may be influencing the pace and transparency of the inquiry.
Families of victims, pilot unions, the airline, and Indian authorities all have vested interests in the investigation’s outcome, which adds to the complexity.
What to watch
The final report is expected to clarify the timeline of engine power loss, the role of the fuel-control switches, and any technical faults. It may also provide a more complete cockpit voice transcript to shed light on crew actions during the critical moments after take-off. Until then, the cause of the crash remains uncertain, and the aviation community continues to await definitive answers.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
