The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on Saturday, July 12 regarding the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171, which went down shortly after takeoff on June 12 near Ahmedabad airport. The crash claimed the lives of all 260 people on board and several on the ground when the aircraft crashed into a medical hostel complex.
According to flight data retrieved from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, both engine fuel control switches were unexpectedly moved from RUN to CUTOFF within one second at 08:08:42 UTC. Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” with the response, “I did not,” indicating clear confusion in the cockpit during the crucial moments of flight.
The crew attempted to restart the engines seconds later—Engine 1 at 08:08:52 and Engine 2 at 08:08:56. While Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, Engine 2 continued to lose power despite multiple automated restart attempts by the aircraft’s FADEC system. With incomplete thrust recovery, the aircraft could not maintain altitude and entered a sharp descent, leading to the fatal impact.
