Aircraft Accident: What Caused the Air India Plane to Plummet?
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, met with a tragic accident on Thursday, 12th June 2025, just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, crashed outside the airport perimeter, resulting in the loss of 260 lives, including 19 on the ground [1][2].
Preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been due to a sudden loss of engine thrust, caused by fuel cutoff switches being moved to the "CUTOFF" position [2][3]. However, the exact cause of the switches being activated remains under investigation.
Cockpit voice recordings reveal a conversation between the pilots, with one questioning why the cutoff switch was activated, to which the other responded that they did not [3]. Early U.S. assessments suggest that the captain may have moved the switches, causing the first officer to panic [3]. The preliminary report notes "cockpit confusion" as one of the initial factors [1].
Air India had received nine safety-related notices in the six months preceding the crash, though the relevance of these to the accident is still being investigated [1]. The investigation under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017, is ongoing to determine root causes and contributory factors [1].
Notably, Boeing's automated thrust control system, known as TCMA, has generated discussion in aviation circles [4]. However, it remains unclear if this system played a role in the crash.
The crash site was near a medical college accommodation, and investigators are gathering evidence from black box flight recorders, witnesses, and the sole survivor [2][5]. Peter Goelz, formerly of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that inspecting the turbine wreckage would give investigators clues as to whether the engines were generating thrust when the crash occurred [5].
Prof. Philip Baum, an aviation security expert, believes an attack is unlikely to be behind the crash [6]. The migration season around Ahmedabad is from November to February, and the area has several bird habitats, including Thol Lake, Nalsarovar wetland bird sanctuary, and the Sabarmati River [7]. However, most birds typically fly below 150 metres, while the plane reached an altitude of 190 metres [7].
The Indian aviation regulator, DGCA, has ordered checks on all Air India Boeing 787s with GEnx engines "with immediate effect" [8]. The crash of Air India flight AI171 involved a Boeing 787 fitted with GEnx engines.
As the investigation continues, all possible causes—including pilot error, training issues, cockpit resource management failures, and mechanical or procedural anomalies—remain under scrutiny [1][2][3]. The full investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is ongoing, with the root cause yet to be officially determined [1].
- The aviation industry is closely examining the role of Boeing's automated thrust control system, known as TCMA, in the unfortunate accident of Air India Flight AI171, as questions arise about its potential impact on the crash.
- Financial institutions are closely monitoring the consequences of this tragic accident on Air India, given the airline's ongoing operation and the potential insurance implications.
- Transportation authorities and eco-conscious organizations are discussing the need for sustainable accommodations near airport areas to minimize the environmental impact of such accidents and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
