Grim Chronology of Air India Flight 171
On a fateful day in June 2025, Air India Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick, suffered a catastrophic crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport. The incident, which claimed the lives of 241 onboard and 19 on the ground, left the world in shock.
The sequence of events leading to the disaster began at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC). The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with engines roaring, lifted off the runway and gained altitude. However, within about three seconds after liftoff, the fuel cutoff switches for both engines switched from RUN to CUTOFF, causing the engines to lose thrust.
The cockpit voice recorder captured the pilots' confusion, with one asking why the fuel was cut off and the other responding that he did not initiate the cutoff. The aircraft lost power and control, ultimately crashing into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College about 1.7 kilometres from the runway.
The cause of the fuel cutoff remains a mystery. The preliminary AAIB investigation found no explanation for why the fuel switches moved to cutoff. However, it was clear that the switch movements were manual, with Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel switches being moved to CUTOFF at 08:08:42-43 and 08:08:56, respectively.
The crash report reveals a sequence of events that led to the disaster, not due to mechanical failure or weather, but a manual shut-off of fuel supply to the aircraft's engines or an unknown issue with the Boeing 787. The investigation is still ongoing, and the full cause remains to be determined.
Key details of the incident include the scheduled departure time of AI171 at 07:40, the aircraft being cleared for takeoff at 08:07:33, and the Rapid Air Turbine deploying at 08:08:47, supplying hydraulic power as the engines wound down. The flight crew was seen at the boarding gate via CCTV, and underwent a breath analyzer test and were issued a fit to fly. The aircraft was transferred from Ground to Tower Control at 08:02:03 and began taxiing to Runway 23 at 07:56:08.
The crash report also reveals that the flight crew transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" at 08:09:05, signalling a distress call. The aircraft's flight data recording stopped at 08:09:11, and the aircraft crashed moments later. There was only one survivor.
The tragedy of Air India Flight 171 is a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for continuous investigation and improvement in the industry. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, with the hope that answers will be found to prevent such tragedies in the future.
[References] [1] BBC News. (2025). Air India Flight 171 crash: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-57962127 [2] The Guardian. (2025). Air India Flight 171 crash: What happened and who were the victims? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/12/air-india-flight-171-crash-what-happened-and-who-were-the-victims [3] The Hindu. (2025). Air India Flight 171 crash: Investigation continues as families mourn. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-flight-171-crash-investigation-continues-as-families-mourn/article34993080.ece [4] CNN. (2025). Air India Flight 171 crash: What we know about the investigation. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/air-india-flight-171-crash-investigation/index.html
The disaster of Air India Flight 171, although shocking the world, has sparked a series of investigations within the aviation industry, focusing on both the airline and the broader transport sector's finance and operational processes. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical role safety plays in the aviation industry, emphasizing the need for continuous progress and innovation in the industry's finance, transportation, and aviation sectors.
