Tracing the Shivering Sequence of Air India Flight 171

Tracing the Shivering Sequence of Air India Flight 171

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, met with a tragic end on the 12th of July, 2025, just minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport. The aircraft, bound for Delhi, crashed into the BJ Medical College approximately 0.9 nautical miles beyond the runway, resulting in 241 fatalities onboard and 39 on the ground. Only one person survived from the flight.

Initial investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ruled out a bird strike and center-of-gravity issues. Both pilot error and simultaneous engine failure were considered unlikely at the time. The flight data recorder was recovered from the crash site, which has been crucial for further investigation.

More recent discussions have centered around the potential role of manual fuel shut-off in the crash. Some analyses suggest that the pilots might have inadvertently activated the fuel cutoff switches, leading to engine shutdown. However, this theory is speculative and not officially confirmed by the investigations.

According to the crash timeline, the aircraft began taxiing to Runway 23 at 07:56:08. It was transferred from Ground to Tower Control at 08:02:03. The scheduled departure time of AI171 was at 07:40, and the flight crew underwent a breath analyzer test and were issued a fit to fly at 06:25. The engines' N1 and N2 began to decrease from takeoff values due to the fuel cutoff, with the fuel supply to Engine 2 being manually cut off at 08:08:43 and Engine 1 following suit at 08:08:42.

The crash report reveals a tragic sequence of events, with the flight data recording stopping at 08:09:11, moments before the aircraft crashed. The Rapid Air Turbine deployed at 08:08:47, supplying hydraulic power as the engines wound down. The aircraft was instructed to line up on Runway 23 at 08:03:45, and the crew transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" at 08:09:05.

As of the latest updates, the investigation has not conclusively determined the cause of the crash. The focus remains on understanding whether there was a design flaw in the Boeing 787, pilot error, or other factors like worn-out fuel cutoff switches. However, nothing has been officially confirmed regarding the specific role of manual fuel shut-off in the incident. The investigation continues, with the hope that the truth will come to light and lessons can be learned to prevent such tragedies in the future.

1. The aviation industry and general-news outlets are closely monitoring the ongoing investigations into the Air India Flight 171 crash, as the final cause remains unconfirmed.
2. The airline industry finance sector is assessing the potential impact of the Air India Flight 171 accident on the aviation industry, considering possible design flaws and operational errors.
3. The Transportation Safety Board, in collaboration with various organizations, is investigating the manual fuel shut-off mechanism in light of recent discussions suggesting its potential role in the Air India Flight 171 accident.

Read also: